THE RICE-BIRD. — BOB-O-LINK. 
15 
The Red Maple. 
Acer rubrum, Willd., Sp. Plant., vol. iv. p. 984. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. i. p. 2G5. 
Mich., Arb. Forest, de l’Amer. Sept,, vol. ii. p. 210, pi. 14.— Octandria Monogynia, 
Linn . — Acerine^e, Juss. 
This species, which is known by the names of red maple and sivamp 
maple, is distinguished by its five-lobed or three-lobed leaves, which are 
cordate at the base, unequally and deeply toothed, and glaucous beneath; its 
sessile umbels, elongated pedicels, and smooth germens. The flowers and 
seeds are red. Ic is very extensively distributed, and in the swamps of 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey attains a height of from sixty to eighty feet. 
When young, the bark is smooth, and covered with large white spots, but it 
ultimately cracks and becomes brown. The wood is hard and close, and 
takes a good polish. It is extensively used for various purposes. 
Genus II. — MOLOTHRUS, Swains. COW-BIRD. 
Bill rather short, very stout, moderately compressed, conical ; upper man- 
dible with the dorsal line slightly convex, its ridge flattened for half its 
length, afterwards narrow, sides convex, edges direct, tip rather acute; 
lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal outline ascend- 
ing, straight, sides erect and convex, edges involute, tip acute; gap-line 
gently ascending for a third of its length, afterwards direct. Nostrils 
small, elliptical. Plumage blended, glossy. Wings rather long, pointed, 
the second quill longest, the first almost equal. Tail of moderate length, 
the feathers broad and rounded. 
