FAMILY ICTERIDAE 



333 



ogy corroborates the observations of Beecher (Auk, 1951, pp. 411- 

 440) based on jaw muscles and shows Spiza to be a primitive member 

 of the Icteridae, close to the Emberizinae. This conclusion is followed 

 here, as no evidence in support of a contrary position has been 

 presented. 



KEY TO SPECIES OF ICTERIDAE 



1. Entirely black 2 



Not entirely black 6 



2. Very large 3 



Medium size 4 



3. Tail not graduated. 



Giant Cowbird, Scaphidura oryzivora. p. 355 



Tail graduated. 



male Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus peruvianus. p. 362 



4. Strong purple sheen. 



male Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis cabanisii. p. 361 

 Little or no iridescent sheen 5 



5. Long light-colored bill. 



Yellow-billed Cacique, Cacicus holosericeus holosericeus. p. 353 

 Short dark bill. 



Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus aeneus. p. 358 



6. Uniformly dull brown 7 



Streaked or boldly patterned 8 



7. Large, with long graduated tail. 



female Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus peruvianus. p. 362 

 Smaller, tail not graduated. 



female Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis cabanisii. p. 361 



8. Large, body black or dark brown, tail yellow with central pair of rec- 



trices black 9 



Tail not all yellow except for central pair of rectrices 12 



9. Remiges and entire back reddish brown. 



Montezuma Oropendola, Psarocolius montezuma. p. 336 

 Remiges black or blackish 10 



10. Back and wing coverts brown. 



Black Oropendola, Psarocolius guatimozinus. p. 339 

 Wings entirely black or blackish 11 



11. Head dark brown. 



Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Psarocolius wagleri. p. 341 

 Head black or blackish. 



Crested Oropendola, Psarocolius decumanus melanterus. p. 344 



12. Rump uniform with back and tail; head and/or chest orange-yellow. 



Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. p. 377 

 Rump differs from color of back or tail 13 



13. Rump red. 



Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Cacicus uropygialis. p. 349 

 Rump not red 14 



