Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME IV.
GENUS I.--DOLICHONYX, Swains. RICE-BIRD.
Bill rather short, very stout, moderately compressed, conical; upper
mandible with the dorsal line straight, a little convex at the base, and very
slightly deflected at the end, its ridge rather broad, indistinct, sides
rounded, edges direct, overlapping, tip rather acute; lower mandible with the
angle of moderate length, very broad, dorsal outline ascending, slightly convex
at the base, sides erect and convex, tip acute; gap-line ascending for a fourth
of its length, then direct. Nostrils small, elliptical, operculate. Plumage
blended, but firm, with little gloss. Wings rather long, pointed, the first
quill longest. Tail of moderate length, the feathers narrow and acuminate.
Toes large; claws very long, little arched, slender, tapering to a fine point.