184 
VERTEBRATA. 
of every imaginable form are spread over the fields of Indian corn as soon as planted, partly in- 
tended for the crows, but more especially for these greedy and impudent marauders. When the 
breeding season is over they gather in immense flocks, usually roosting in the thickets of the 
swamps; at this time filling the whole air with their notes. In October they take their depart- 
ure. Their flesh is dark and rank, and unfit for the table. They have some rather pleasing 
notes, which they will practice in confinement. They may be tamed, and taught to articulate; a 
few words. Of late they appear to be much less abundant than formerly. They have almost 
deserted some districts where they abounded not many years ago. 
THE RUSTY CROW-BLACKBIRD. 
The Rusty Crow-Blackbird, Q. ferrugineus, is nine and a half inches long; of a rusty black 
color above, ash beneath ; resembles the preceding, and is distributed through the same regions, 
but is less common. 
Other species are the Great Crow-Blackbird, Q. major, sixteen inches long ; glossy black ; 
tail eight inches long and wedge-shaped ; found in the Southern States ; and the Q. Breioeri, ten 
inches long ; glossy black, with purple reflections ; found on the upper Missouri. 
THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 
THE ICTERIjSr^ OR TROOPIALS. 
Genus ICTERUS : Icterus — nearly corresponding to the Xanthornus of Cuvier. — This in- 
cludes several remarkable species, which may be considered American Starlings, though they 
bear various other names. Some of them are gregarious in their habits, whence they have been 
