Family Icteride
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC.
This distinctively American family is most abundantly represented in the tropics, where the majority of the one hundred and fifty known species are found. With the exception of the Orioles, they are gregarious after the nesting season, while some of the species nest in colonies and are found in flocks throughout the year. They differ markedly in habits, and are found living in ground of every nature, from dry plains and wet marshes to the densest forest growth. Some species possess marked vocal ability, while the voices of others are harsh and unmusical. They feed on fruit, seeds, and insects.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
I. With yellow or orange in the under parts.
A. Throat black. a. Back black b. Back greenish . 507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE (8 im.).
B. A black or blackish crescent on the breast; outer tail-feathers white. 501. MEADOWLARK. 501a. WESTERN MEADOWLARK.
C. Entire under parts yellow, yellowish, or orange. a. Rump and tail orange. 507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE (9 and im.). b. Upper parts yellowish green 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE (2 and im.). c. Upper parts brownish, streaked and spotted with black; tail-feathers pointed 494. BOBOLINK (2 and im.).
D. Throat and breast yellow or yellowish; belly black or dark grayish brown. 497. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
II. Under parts black, with or without metallic reflections tions.
A. Outer tail-feathers 75 or more shorter than middle ones; bill 1.00 or more in length. a. Tail over 6.00 b. Tail under 6.00. 513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE 8. 61. Back bronzy purple or shining, brassy bluish green, the feathers with iridescent bars 511. PURPLE GRACKLE (8). 5116. BRONZED GRACKLE 8. 63. Back bottle-green, the feathers more purple at their base, and with a narrow iridescent bar near the middle. ba. Back bronze, without iridescent bars. 64. Back bluish black, with or without 511. PURPLE GRACKLE (♀). 511a. FLORIDA GRACKLE 8. iridescent bars. 511a. FLORIDA GRACKLE 9.
B. Outer tail-feathers little if any shorter than middle ones; bill less than 1.00 in length. a. Entire plumage bluish black, the feathers sometimes tipped with buffy or rufous 509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. b. A red and buff shoulder-patch. 498. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (8).
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. c. Head and neck all around seal-brown d. Nape buffy, rump whitish.
A. Under parts grayish or slate-color. 495. COWBIRD 8. 494. BOBOLINK 8.
III. Under parts grayish, slate-color, chestnut, or buffy. a. Under parts grayish; bill finchlike; wing under 4.00. 495. COWBIRD 9. b. Under parts and upper parts slate-color, the feathers sometimes 509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD 9. tipped with brownish B. Under parts buffy or chestnut. a. Under parts buffy, generally with a few black streaks. 494. BOBOLINK 9. b. Under parts buffy, without black streaks; tail about 5.00. 513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE 9. c. Under parts chestnut; throat black. 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE ( ♂ ad.).
IV. Under parts black and white, or black tipped or margined with rusty. a. Under parts streaked black and white, or black tipped with white; shoulder generally red or reddish. 498. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (2 and im.). 4986. FLORIDA REDWING (9 and im.). b. Upper parts and under parts tipped with rusty. c. Nape buffy, rump whitish 509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD (im.). 494. BOBOLINK 8. 494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). BOBOLINK; REEDBIRD;