Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME IV.
GENUS I.--ICTERIA, Vieill. CHAT.
Bill of moderate length, stout, slightly arched, broad at the base,
compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the sides convex, the edges
sharp, destitute of notch, the tip acute and a little declinate; lower mandible
with the dorsal line nearly straight, the edge-line slightly arched and
inflected. Nostrils roundish, half covered by a vaulted membrane. General form
rather robust; head ovate, neck short, body moderate. Legs of moderate length,
slender; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with eight scutella, of which the
upper are blended; two lateral toes nearly equal, the hind one not much stouter.
Claws moderate, arch much compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage
soft and blended. Bristles very small. Wings of moderate length, rounded,
third and fourth primaries longest, second little shorter, first longer than
sixth. Tail rather long, rounded.