RICE BIRD. 487 



the upper mandible beneath are three ridges, of which the lateral are 

 larger ; the lower mandible is deeply concave ; the width of the mouth 

 4| twelfths. The tongue is 5 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at 

 the base, narrow, deep, pointed, and with a median groove on its upper 

 surface. It thus approaches in form to that of the Finches and Bunt- 

 ings. The oesophagus is 2^ inches long, its greatest width 4| twelfths, 

 contracting to 2 twelfths as it enters the thorax ; the proventriculus 

 3 twelfths broad, its glands forming a belt 4 twelfths in breadth. The 

 stomach is rather small, roundish, much compressed, 6 twelfths in 

 length, and of the same breadth ; its lateral muscles thick, the tendons 

 large ; the epithelium thin, tough, reddish-brown, with longitudinal 

 rugae. The intestine is 7 inches 9 twelfths long ; its average width 

 li twelfth ; the coeca ^ twelfth long, ^ twelfth broad, 9 twelfths from 

 the extremity. 



The trachea is IJ inch long, 1 twelfth broad at the upper part, 

 considerably compressed ; the rings 55, with 2 dimidiate ; the muscles 

 as in the last species ; bronchi of about 12 half rings. 



RED-WINGED STARLING. 



Icterus phceniceus, Daudin. 



PLATE LXVII. Vol. I. p. 348. 



The dispersion of this bird over the whole of the United States, 

 the Fur Coimtries beyond the limits of the inhabitation of the human 

 species, the great western plains, the Rocky Mountains, and even the 

 shores of the Columbia River, where it was procured by Dr Townsexd, 

 forms a remarkable part of its history. Our surprise becomes greatly 

 increased by the knowledge of its breeding in great numbers in every 

 part of this vast extent. I found the Islands about Galveston Bay 

 most plentifully supplied with it, as well as the grassy margins of the 

 pools and bayous of the mainland, where it was seen breeding, some- 

 times within a few yards of houses. The same occurred on the Florida 

 Keys. The only part of the country visited by me in which I found it 

 wanting is Labrador, although it is known to breed in some portions 



