BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 357 



51. FAMILY ICTERID^E. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. (Fig. 63.) 



This distinctively American family is most abundantly represented in 

 the tropics, where the majority of the one hundred and fifty odd known 

 species are found, only nineteen advancing north of Mexico. With 

 the exception of the Orioles, they are gregarious after the nesting season, 

 while some of the species nest in colonies and are found in flocks through- 

 out the year. They differ markedly in habits, and are found living in 

 ground of every nature, from dry plains and wet marshes to the densest 

 forest growth. Some species possess marked vocal ability, while the 

 voices of others are harsh and unmusical. They feed on fruit, seeds, 

 grain and insects. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES 



I. With yellow or orange in the underparts. 

 II. Underparts black with or without metallic reflections. 



III. Underparts grayish, slate-color, chestnut or buffy. 



IV. Underparts black and white, or black, tipped or margined with rusty. 



I. With yellow or orange in the underparts. 



1. Throat or breast-crescent black. 



a. Back black 507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 



b. Back greenish 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE (<? im.). 



c. A black or blackish crescent on the breast ; outer tail-feathers white. 



501. MEADOWLARK. 50 la. WESTERN MEADOWLARK. 



2. Throat not black, no breast-crescent. 



A. Entire underparts yellow, yellowish, or orange. 



a. Rump and tail orange . . 507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE (9 and im.). 



b. Underparts yellowish green . 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE (9 and im.). 



c. Upperparts brownish, streaked and spotted with black; tail- 



feathers pointed. . . 494. BOBOLINK (9 ad. d", fall and im.). 



B. Throat and breast yellow or yellowish; belly black or dark grayish 



brown 497. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. 



II. Underparts black, with or without metallic reflections. 



A. Outer tail-feathers '75 or more shorter than middle ones; bill 1*00 or 



more in length. 



a. Tail over 6'00 513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE d". 



b. Tail under 6' 00. 



ft 1 . Back bronzy purple or shining, brassy bluish green, the feath- 

 ers with iridescent bars 511. PURPLE GRACKLE cf. 



6 2 . Back bronze, without iridescent bars. 



5116. BRONZED GRACKLE <?. 



6 3 . Back bottle-green, the feathers more purple at their base, and 



with a narrow iridescent bar near the middle. 



51 la. FLORIDA GRACKLE cf. 



6 4 . Back bluish black, with or without iridescent bars. 



511. PURPLE GRACKLE (9). 511oL FLORIDA GRACKLE 9. 



B. Outer tail-feathers little if any shorter than middle ones; bill less 



than TOO in length. ^ 

 a. Entire plumage bluish black, the feathers sometimes tipped with 



buffy or rufous 509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD d\ 



6. A red and buff shoulder-patch . . . RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS d". 



c. Head and neck all around seal-brown . . . 495. COWBIRD d 1 . 



d. Nape buffy, rump whitish 494. BOBOLINK <?* . 



