184 



VEKTEBIIATA, 



of fvorv iiii.iixiiiabK' form arc spread over the lields of Iiidiuu corn as soon as planted, partly in- 

 tended for the crows, Imt more especially for these greedy and impudent marauders. When the 

 breediuif season is over they ir.ither in immense flocks, usually roosting in the thickets of the 

 swamps; at this time tillini; the whole air with their notes. In October they take their depart- 

 ure. Their flesh is dark and rank, and unfit for the table. They have some rather pleasing 

 notes, which they will practice in confinement. They may be tamed, and taught to articulate a 

 few words. Of late they appear to be much less abundant than formerly. They have almost 

 deserted some districts where they abounded not many years ago. 



THE RUSTY CROW-BLACKBIHD. 



The Rusty Crow-Blackbird, Q. ferrugineus^ is nine and a half inches long; of a rusty black 

 color above, ash beneath ; resembles the preceding, and is distributed through the same re2;ions, 

 but is less common. 



Other species are the Great Crow-Blackbird, Q. major^ sixteen inches long; glossv black; 

 tail eight inches long and wedge-shaped ; found in the Southern States ; and the Q. Brewer i^ ten 

 inches long ; glossy black, with purple reflections ; found on the upper Missouri. 



THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 



THE ICTERIN^E OR TROOPIALS. 

 Genus ICTERUS: Icterus — nearly corresponding to the Xanthornus of Cuvier. — This in- 

 cludes several remarkable species, which may be considered American Starlings, though they 

 bear various other names. Some of them are gregarious in their habits, whence they have been 



