276 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



ICTERINjE 



with that precision they require ; we shall, therefore, merely intimate their 

 leading distinctions. The only genera hitherto defined, are Cassicus*, Xan- 

 thomas, and Icterus. These, and some others possessing peculiar characters, 

 are strikingly distinguished from the Agelainee by their short and differently 

 constructed feet ; indicating at once an arborial, instead of a terrestrial economy. 

 The former are almost always upon the ground ; while the true Icterince, as we 

 know from personal observation, are as constantly seen upon trees : they feed 

 upon insects, the stamina of flowers, and soft fruits ; and the feet, accordingly, 

 have a peculiar construction. 



The genus Cassicus, erroneously supposed to be the typical form, is, in fact, 

 the Rasorial ; and we are thus prepared to enter upon the 



SCAPHIDURIN^E, 



or Boat-tailed Grakles, by means of the new genus Scaphidurus f . In the singular 

 development of tail which belongs to this sub-family, we have a marked cha- 

 racter, which distinctly separates them from the two last divisions. They are 

 larger and more powerful birds, having the manners of the Crows, while their 

 whole economy clearly points out the mode in which Nature enters among the 

 Corvidce. Few species of the Boat-tails have yet been defined, — originating, in 

 all probability, more from the imperfect manner in which they have been exa- 

 mined, than from a real deficiency of species. They are all of a glossy black 

 colour ; but the species are sufficiently distinguished by size, the form of the 

 bill, tarsi, &c. We possess seven species, and are acquainted with several 

 more ; but this number is insufficient to give us very accurate ideas of the 

 subordinate forms. Certain, however, it is, that the superb Astrapia gularis of 

 M. Vieillot, the Gorget Paradise-bird of Linnsean systematists, belongs to this 

 group ; but whether this form is sub-typical or rasorial, must be left to future 

 investigation : it possesses the feet and boat- shaped tail of the Scaphidurina? 

 and the bill of the Lamprotornince, or true Grakles. This union of characters 

 sufficiently indicates, in our opinion, the true affinities of this singularly rare and 

 magnificent bird. In this group, also, do we place the Rusty Grakle ; since we 

 strongly suspect it is one of those links by which Nature has united the Scaphi- 



* Cassiculus, Sw., is a sub-genus, or type of form, subordinate to Cassicus. — Sw. 



f Upon erroneous information we proposed tbis name as a substitute for Quiscalus, Vieil. ; but as this latter is not, 

 as we then understood, already used in Botany, we now restrict the name of Scaphidurus to that genus of which the 

 Oriolus niger is the type. — Sw. 



