BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



57 



FAMILY ICTERIDA^. (THE AMERICAN ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS.) 



Bill with the commissure angulated, usually lengthened, rarely 

 shorter than head, straight or gently curved, without notch or rictal 

 bristles ; culmen usually extending upon the forehead, dividing the frontal 

 feathers. Legs stout, adapted for walking in all our species, except 

 those in Icterus. 



Doliconyx and Molothrus are somewhat Finch-like, having the bill 

 shorter than head. 



GENUS DOLICHONYX. 

 (494) Bobolink. 



(Dolichonyx oryzivorous.) 



Abundant summer resident. Breeds in the hay meadows through- 

 out its range, which does not extend north of the cultivated country. 



Arrives about the tenth of May, departs about the end of August. 



Cowbird. 



GENUS MOLOTHRUS: 

 (495) Cowbird. 



(Molothrus ater.) 



An abundant summer resident, deposits its eggs in the nests of other 

 small birds. Breeds throughout its range. 



