( 486 ) 



RICE BIRD. 



Icterus agrifennis. Bo nap. 



PLATE LIV. Vol. I. p. 283. 



According to Dr Richardson, this species does not proceed north- 

 ward beyond the 54th parallel, where it arrives in the beginning of 

 June. Among the Creek Indians it bears the name of " Skunk Bird," 

 from the similarity of its plumage to the colouring of the Skunk, Me- 

 phitis Americana. It has been observed on the Rocky Mountains by 

 Dr TowNSEND. I found it entering the United States from beyond the 

 Texas, on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, early in April, when most 

 of the males were in full plumage, and I have no doubt that before 

 they reach the Carolinas this state of plumage is perfected. 



My friend Dr Brewer describes their mode of nestling in Massa- 

 chusetts as follows : — " This species breeds here abundantly, although, 

 from the careful manner in which the nest is concealed, it is very sel- 

 dom met with. The Rice Bird arrives in New England about the 

 middle of May, and commences its nest usually about the first of June. 

 It is placed on the ground, and here for the most part in meadows, and 

 with so much pains at concealment, that it is to be found only by acci- 

 dent. Ingenious stratagems are also used to decoy the passer-by from 

 its vicinity : for instance, a pretended anxiety about parts of a field 

 in which they have not the slightest interest ; so that persons unaware 

 of this are often induced to search spots many rods distant fi:om the 

 object of their pursuit. The nest is very simple, usually consisting of 

 a few pieces of hay and straw, so loosely arranged as hardly to admit 

 of removal without falling to pieces. The eggs, five in number, mea- 

 sure fifteen-sixteenths of an inch in length, and eleven-sixteenths in 

 breadth. About the 8th of August, they assemble in large flocks, and 

 take their departure for the south," 



In a male preserved in spirits, the palate is ascending, with two la- 

 teral ridges, which on meeting anteriorly form a soft prominence ; on 



