ICTERID.E — THE OIUOLES. 



171 



usually, tVoui five to six eLjgs. Tliesu are of an oltlong-oval shape, and 

 measure 1.02 inches in leni:th hv .7(1 of an inch in breadth. Their <^round- 

 color is of a pale greenish-white. ])rofusely covered v.il)i blotches and tiner 

 dottings of dnil), purplish-brown, and umber. 



(iExrs STURNELLA, Vieillot. 



Sturndla, Vikillot, Anuly-se, Ifelti. Cfyp<^» AlaiuUi nunjva, L.) 



Gen. Char. Body thick, stout ; lejjs larjre, toes reacliin<r l»evond the tail. Tail short, 

 even, with narrow acuminate feathers. Bill slender, elongated ; length about three times 



StHrnelln masna. 



the hrisrht; commissure straight from the basal angle. Culmen flattened basally, ex- 

 tending backwards and parting the frontal leathers: longer than the head, but shorter 

 than tarsus. Nostrils linear, covered by an inc"mbent membranous scale. Inner lateral 

 toe longer than the outer. 



but not reai-hing to basal 

 joint of middle ; hind toe a 

 little shorter than the middle, 

 which is equal to the tarsus. 

 Hind claw nearly twice as 

 long as the middle. Feathers 

 of head stiflened and bristly; 

 the shafts of those above 

 extended into a black seta. 

 Tertials nearly equal to the 

 primaries. Feathers above all 

 transversely banded. Be- 

 neath vellow, with a black 

 pectoral crescent. 



Stiirttfffa vin^nn 



The only species which we can admit is the S. mafpia, though under this 

 name we group several geographical races. They may be distinguished as 

 follows: — 



