260 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



Family Icterid^. Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. 



This distinctively American family is most abundantly represented 

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

 species are found. With the exception of the Orioles, they are gre- 

 garious after the nesting season, while some of the species nest in col- 

 onies and are found in flocks throughout the year. 



'^hey differ markedly in habits, and are found living in ground of 

 eveiy nature, from dry plains and wet marshes to the densest forest 

 growth. Some spjcies possess marked vocal ability, while the voices 

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

 insects. 



KEY TO THE 8PK<'IE8. 



I. With yellow or orange In the under parts. 



A. Til rout bluck. 



a. liuok bluck 507. Baltimoue Oriom. 



b. Buck grooniah 50(5. Okciiaim) ()kiole(,5 im.). 



£. A black or bluckish crescent on the brcust ; outer tuil-feutherH wliitu. 



501. Mkaiiowlakk. 501a. Westehn Meauowlahk. 



C, Entire under pnrt.s yellow, ycllo\vi«li, or orunjfc. 



fl. Kuiup und tuil oruuffc. . . 507. Baltimoue Oktole ( 9 and im.). 



b. Upper parts yellowish green . 506. Ohoiiaud Okiole ( 9 and im.). 



c. Upper parts brownish, streuked and spotted with bluck ; tuil-feath- 

 ers jwinted 494. Bobolink ( 9 and im.), 



D. Throat and breast, yellow or yellowish ; belly bluck or dark gruyish 



brown 497. Yellow-hkai>ki) Blackiiiud. 



H. Under parts black* with or without metallic reflec- 

 tions. 

 A. Outer tuil-feathera "75 or more sliortcr than middle ones ; bill POO or 

 more in length, 



a. Tail over 600 513, Boat-tailed Grackle S , 



A, Tail under 600. 

 6». Back bronzy purple or sliining, brassy bluish green, the feathers 



-with iridescent bars 511, Tl'rple Grackle ( a ). 



6', Back bronze, without iridescent bars, 



5116. Bronzed Grackle i. 

 b*. Back bottle-green, the feathers more purple at their base, and 

 with a narrow iridescent bar near the middle. 



511a. Florida Grackle <J , 

 b*. Back bluish black, with or without iridescent bars, 



511. Purple Grackle ( 9 ). 511a. Florida Grackle 9. 

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

 than 1-00 in length. 

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



buffy or rufous 509. Kustv Blackbird, 



i. A red and butf shoulder-patch. . 498, Red-winged Blackbird ( (S ), 



ll 



