202 BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 
he allows himself to be driven ignominiously from his nest by the 
smaller Blue Bird, as already mentioned. The skin of this species is 
remarkably delicate, almost resembling tissue-paper. The rich vermilion 
plumage soon fades when exposed to light. 
In proof of the migratory nature of this species Mr. Bartram writes 
to me, on the 27th of April, 1878, as follows: “‘Captain Tupper, of the 
barque Continental, belonging to the State of Maine, put in here in 
distress on a voyage from Brunswick, Ga., on or about the 12th of this 
month. He tells me that one of our Red Birds came on board his ship 
and was caught 350 miles to the westward of Bermuda; the wind had 
been eastward for some days; they also caught a Sandpiper the same 
day, and they were both confined together in a basket; but, as they 
could not live together without fighting, they were turned adrift and 
allowed to go their way.” 
Family ICTERID A. 
Sub-family AGELAIN A. 
Genus DOLICHONYX, Sw. 
54. Dolichonyx oryzivorus, (Linn.) Sw. Bob-o-link; Rice-bird. 
Emberiza oryzivora, Linn., Gm., Lath., Wils. 
Passerina oryzivora, Vieil. 
Dolichonyz oryzivorus, Sw., Bp., Aud., Gould, Gir., and late authors. 
Icterus agripennis, Bp., Nutt., Aud. 
Dolichonyz agripennis, Rich. 
Length, 7.70; wing, 3.83; tail, 3.15. 
Hab.—Eastern North America, north to Saskatchewan, west to Rocky 
Mountains and somewhat beyond; Utah, Nevada, Wyoming; south to 
Bolivia, La Plata, &c., Galapagos, West Indies, Central and South 
America. (Coues.) 
Mr. Hurdis says of this bird: ‘“‘ The Rice Bird is not known to visit 
the Bermudas on its vernal flight, although in September and October 
it seldom fails of being found there, generally in small flocks, and on 
one occasion in considerable numbers. They frequent the marshes, 
where the ripe panicles of seed from the reeds and sedge offer an ample 
abundance of their favorite food.” And Colonel Wedderburn remarks: 
‘During some years this bird is not uncommon, but always found in 
winter plumage. They are so extremely fat that it is almost impossible 
to preserve them.” I have little to add to the above notes, except that 
one of Mr. Bartram’s specimens is a male in imperfect summer plumage. 
