158 



NOKTll AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Genus AGELAIUS, VrEiix. 



Agchilus, ViEiLi.oT, "Analyse, 1S16." (Typ«', Oriofus ph^virrut, L.) 



riKN. Char. First qiiili shortt-i- than second ; claws short: the ontrr lateral scarcely reach- 

 ing the l>ase ol' the middle. 

 Culnien depressed at base, 

 parting the frontal leathers; 

 length equal to that of the 

 head, shorter than tarsus. 

 Both niandihk's of eijual 

 thickness and acute at t'p, the 

 edges much curved, tl e cul- 

 nien, gonys, and comm.ssure 

 nearly straight or slightly 

 sinuated ; the length of bill 

 about twice its height. Tail 

 moderate, rounded, or very 

 slightly graduated. Wings 

 pointed, reaching to end of 

 lower tail-coverts. Colors black with red shoulders in North American species. One 

 West Indian with oiangc-bnfiT. Females streaked except in two West Indian species. 



Agdaius phaniceus. 



The nostrils are small, oblonuj, overhung by a membranous scale, 

 bill is higlier than broad at tlie base. 

 There is no division between the anterior 

 tarsal scutelhi' and the single plate on 

 the outside of the tarsus. 



The females of two West Indian 

 species are uniform black. Of these 

 the male of one, A. ^.s-.s/w//w of Cuba, 

 is undistinguisliable from that of A. 

 phieniceiis ; and in fact we may without 

 impropriety consider the former as a 

 melanite race of the latter, the change 

 api)recial)le only in the female. Tlie 

 A. humcraliH, also of Cuba, is smaller, 

 and black, with the lesser coverts brownish orange-butl". 



The 



A^elaius phaniceus. 



Species and Varieties. 



Common Characters. Mnlea glossy black without distinct bluish lustre, h-sser 

 wing-coverts b 'ght red. /v»?»a/^.<? Avithout any red, and either wholly black or 

 variegated with liglit streaks, most co ispiouous below. 



A. phceniceus. Tail rounded. Ked of sho.i'.ucr- a bright scarlet tint. 

 Black of plumage without blui.«h lustre. Fem^iJefi with wing-coverts edged 

 with brownish, or without any light edginirs at all. 

 a. Female continuous deep black, unvariegated. 



