BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



57 



FAMILY ICTERID/E. (THE AMERICAN ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS.) 



Bill with the commissure angulated, usually lengthened, rarely 

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

 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. 



