OF NEW ENGLAND. 241 
developed primaries [also scutellate tarsi, etc.], and this dis- 
tinguishes them from all our other families whatsoever; but 
the distinctions from the Fringillidew are not easily expressed. 
In fact, I know of no character that, for example, will relegate 
the bobolink and cowbird to the Icteride rather than to the 
Fringillide, in the current acceptation of these terms. In gen- 
eral, however, the Icteride are distinguished by the length, 
acuteness and not strictly conical shape of the unnotched, 
unbristled bill, that shows a peculiar extension of the culmen 
on the forehead, dividing the prominent antiz of close-set, 
velvety feathers that reach to or on the nasal scale.” 
With the exception of the Sturnelle (or meadow larks), 
who show an affinity to the true larks, the sexes are unlike, 
and the males are largely or wholly black, often highly lus- 
trous. 
The orioles are arboreal, but the other starlings are in a 
great measure terrestrial, being walking birds. They are gen- 
erally granivorous rather than insectivorous, and are migratory 
and gregarious. The orioles, however, form a distinct group, 
ranked as a subfamily, Icterine (Gen.V). Bill rather slender, 
and acute, with upper and lower outlines both more or less 
curved ; tail rounded. Birds non-gregarious, and scarcely gra- 
nivorous; fine musicians, and clever architects, building pen- 
sile, woven nests. (Fig. 13.) The other subfamilies are: 
Ageleine (I-IV), (fig. 12). Bill generally stout; upper 
and lower outlines both uncurved; tail nearly even. I, II, 
sweetly musical ; tail-feathers pointed. IJ, III, bill fringilline. 
IV, bill as in pl. 1, fig. 18. I, bill similar, but elongated. 
Quiscaline, or grakles (VI, VII), (fig. 14). Bill with the 
edges noticeably turned inward, with upper outline much 
curved, but lower nearly straight. Birds scarcely nrusical, but 
eminently gregarious. Nests rather rude, and never on the 
ground. 
J. STURNELLA 
(A) maena. Meadow Lark. Old-field Lark. “ Marsh 
Quail.” ee 
17 
