CASSIQUES AND HANGNESTS. 357 



The first subfamily (Cnxxtci mi ) is represented bv several closely 



Cassiques. . . L . . J 



allied genera, among which the crested cassique (Ostinops decuman u*) 

 of South America, and the yellow cassique (Cassicus persicus), which is likewise 

 South American, are well-known species. It will be unnecessary here to mention 

 the characters by which these genera are severally distinguished from one 

 another ; and it will suffice to say that the subfamily to which these belong 

 is characterised bj' the naked exposed nostrils, and the presence of a shield on 

 the forehead at the base of the beak. The crested cassique is characterised by the 

 small crest from which it takes its name; and while the general colour of 

 the upper-parts is deep black, with the feathers of the mantle and shoulders 

 shaded with brown, and the upper and lower tail-coverts chestnut, the five 

 outermost pairs of tail-feathers are a brilliant citron-yellow. The elongated form 

 of the nest characterising the crested cassique is sufficiently indicated in our 

 illustration. 



The True The true hangnests, as represented by a large number of species 



Hangnests. ranging from North and Central America to Southern Brazil and 

 Bolivia, constitute (together with an allied genus containing one species) a second 

 subfamily (Ictcr'tua) in which the nostrils are more or less covered by a membrane, 

 while the culmen of the beak is more or less incurved, and there is no shield on 

 the forehead; the metatarsus being short, tin • feet adapted for perching, and the 

 tail rounded. As a rule, the plumage is bright orange and yellow, relieved with 

 black and white; the sexes being in some cases similar, and in others very 

 dissimilar. Unlike the members of the preceding subfamily, these hangnests are 

 thoroughly arboreal in their habits, and while the majority construct pendant 

 nests like those of the cassiques, others appear to build open cup-shaped nests. 

 The eggs are bluish or pinkish white, profusely spotted with purple and red. 

 The best known species is the Baltimore hangnest {Icterus galbula), frequently 

 termed the Baltimore oriole, of the United States. These birds build in large 

 companies, the males generally arriving first at the breeding-places, where they 

 are soon joined by their partners. The nest is wider and less elongated than 

 that of the crested cassique. On a single tree sometimes as many as forty nests 

 may be observed : and during November they will be found to contain both eggs 

 and young birds. All the numerous species of the genus Icterus are good 

 songsters, the notes of the Baltimore hangnest being especially melodious. 



Belonging to another subfamily (Agelceince) differing from the last 



by the straight culmen of the beak and the elongated metatarsus, this 

 genus, as typified by the common rice-bird or bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), is 

 characterised by the short and conical beak, the long and pointed wings, the rigid 

 acuminate feathers of the tail, and the stout and long-clawed feet. An inhabitant of 

 North America, where it is especially common in the States, this well-known bird 

 winters in Central America and the West Indies, returning northwards in vast flocks 

 along the Atlantic coast in spring, when the males are in nearly full breeding-plumage, 

 and are thus very conspicuous as they flock to the meadows and orchards. " Their 

 number," says Dr. Coues, " seems out of all proportion to that of the females, but 

 this is probably due to the silent and more retiring ways of the latter sex. They 

 really pass through, in the vernal migration, quite rapidly, though they do not 



