182 
Catalogue of the Birds of Illinois. 
an indefatiguable songster, whose notes, while lacking melody or sweetness, 
are, however, not unpleasing, and are variously interpreted as “ Dick- 
cissel,” “Judas Iscariot,” &c., whence some of its various local names. The 
male having a yellow breast, adorned with a black shield-shaped spot, and 
thereby much resembling the Meadow Lark in color, while its haunts are the 
same, it is not unfrequently known as the “ Little Field Lark.” Its eggs, of a 
uniform pale blue, without markings of any kind, very closely resemble those of 
the common Bluebird (Sialia sicilis.) 
Family ICTERIDJE. — American Starlings. 
Genus Dolichonyx, Swainson. 
*127. D. or yz ivoms (Linn.) Sw. Bob-o-link. Summer sojourner north- 
ward; transient southward. The male in spring plumage frequently called 
“ Skunk Blackbird.” 
Genus Molothrus, Swainson. 
/ *128. M. ater (Bodd.) Gray. Cow Blackbird. Resident southward; 
summer sojourner northward. Sometimes known as “Clod-hopper,” from the 
habit, which it possesses in common with other “blackbirds,” of following the 
ploughman. The only one of our birds which never builds a nest, but habitu- 
ally deposits its eggs in the nests of other birds. 
Genus Xanthocephalus, Bonaparte. 
*129. X. icterocephalus (Bp.) Baird. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Summer 
sojourner; occasionally resident southward, confined to the prairie districts. 
Genus Agei^eus, Vieillot. 
*180. A. phoeniceus (Linn.) Vieill. Red- winged Blackbird. Resident 
southward; summer sojourner northward. 
Genus Sturnella, Yieillot. 
*181. S. magna (Linn.) Sw. Meadow Lark. Resident; universally dis- 
tributed. 
*132. S. neglecta, Aud. Western Meadow Lark. Resident. Strictly a 
prairie bird; closely resembling the preceding in all respects except voice, the 
notes being all exceedingly different, and the song very far superior. 
Genus Icterus, Brisson. 
/ jU *133. I. galbula (Linn.) Coues. Baltimore Oriole. Summer sojourner. 
The most common appellation of this familiar and brilliant species is “ Hang- 
ing-bird” but it is also known as the “ Hang-nest,” “ Golden Oriole,” “ Golden 
Robin,” “Fire-bird,” &c. 
J- *134. I. spurius (Linn.) Bp. Orchard Oriole. Summer sojourner. More 
abundant south than the preceding. 
Genus Scolecopiiagus, Swainson. 
135. S. ferrugmeus (Gmel.) Sw. Rusty Blackbird. Transient, some- 
times wintering southward. 
