68 MANUAL 



tion to the body of the bird, yet the difference between them 

 and the Corvidce is a permanent one and quite well defined. 

 There are four sub-families, all perfectly natural ones. 



Sub-family a AGEL-ffilNiE [AG-ELAIN-Ei] Blackbirds 



This sub-family is known as the Blackbirds, in distinction 

 from that of the Grackles which ase also called blackbirds but 

 wrongly so — strictly speaking. The distinction might per- 

 haps be better preserved by calling the present sub-family the 

 Swamp Blackbirds, as the name much better illustrates the 

 characteristics of its various members. These birds are among 

 our most familiar early Spring arrivals, and in later Spring 

 and late Autumn swarm in thousands and one might almost 

 say tens of thousands, doing immense damage to the grain 

 fields of the farmer. The type, the Red-winged Blackbird, is 

 familiar to every one at all acquainted with the blackbirds. 

 It is hard to give characters that will determine absolutely, 

 from a scientific standpoint, either with or without the speci- 

 men before one, the peculiar features of the group. We are 

 obliged therefore, with this as with so many other families, 

 to select a typical specimen, describe it, and compare with it, 

 and the student will soon form his own distinguishing charac- 

 teristics. Bill, feet, and general plumage, however, have an 

 appearance not easily mistaken. The main sure feature is that 

 the bill is not longer than the head. The genera are separable 

 from each other with great distinctness. There are four gen- 

 era, all quite constant. The predominant color is black. 



Genera, Dolichonyx, The Bobolink. 



Molotlirus, The Cowbirds (3 species). 



Agelceus [or Agelaius], The Swamp or Marsh Blackbirds (3 



species). 

 Xantlwcephalus, The Yellow-headed Blachbird. 



These genera are without sub-genera or synonyms of any importance, as 

 are also most of the other genera of the family. 



Sub-family b STURNELLIN.ffi Starlings 



The well-known single representative of this sub-family 



