of the United State#* 
51 
Female differing widely from the male, and often much 
smaller. Young very like the female. Generally moult once 
a year, but the colours more brilliant in spring ; in winter the 
plumage of the male is somewhat like that of the female. 
Gregarious. Omnivorous. Build in trees. Walk rather 
quick, with the body almost erect. Flight vigorous. Flesh 
not esteemed. 
Numerous in species, and exclusively American : some 
short, thick-billed species approaching the genus Fringilla, 
(family Passerini) others with slender bills are allied to 
Dacnis, subgenus of Sylvia, (family Canori) whilst others 
again are related to Quiscalus, to Sturnus, he. 
SUBGENUS II. ICTERUS. 
Xanthornus , Cuv. Genera Pendulinus , Yphantes , VieilL 
Bill comparatively slender, slightly bent towards the tip ; 
frontal sinus acute, not deep. 
Female about equal in size to the male. 
Not constantly gregarious: frequent the woods. Feed 
chiefly on insects and berries. Solitary when breeding. 
Build pensile nests, admirably constructed. Allied to the 
subgenus Dacnis. 
49. Icterus Baltimore, Daud. Tail nearly even. 
Male orange ; head, neck above, back, wings and tail, 
black; lateral tail feathers widely orange at tip. 
Female and young, the orange pale ; the black dull and 
pale, and mottled with dull orange ; tail orange. 
Baltimore Oriole , Oriolus baltimore , Wils. Am. Orn. ? 
p. 23. pi. l. fig. 3. male ; and vi. p. 88. pi. 53. fig. 4. female. 
Inhabits all parts of the United States in summer : rather 
common : winters in tropical America. 
50. Icterus spurius, Nob. Tail cuneiform. 
Male, chesnut ; head and neck, back, wings and tail, black. 
Female and young of one year, olive-green, beneath yel- 
low ; wings and tail dusky. 
