Size small; bill lengthened, pointed; tip of upper mandible slightly curved downwards; wings very short; the first primary shorter than the succeeding four or five, which are nearly equal; tail moderate, or rather long, with its feathers narrow; tarsi and toes rather long, slender. An American genus, containing six or seven species.
Ammodromus ruficeps. Cassin, Proc. Acad., Philada., VI. p. 184. (Oct., 1852.)
Form. Bill shorter than usual in this genus; wings short, rounded; tail long; tarsi lengthened, slender.
Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 5¾ inches; wing, 2½; tail, 2¾ inches.
Colors. Head above chestnut-brown, which is also the prevailing color of the back and rump, the feathers of both the latter edged with pale cinereous, tinged with olive. Spot in front of the eye white, forming a partial superciliary line. A narrow stripe of black from each side of the lower mandible running downwards, above which is a stripe of white; intermediate space on throat nearly white; other under parts pale ashy, with a tinge of olive; quills brown; primaries edged externally with ashy; secondaries with pale chestnut-brown; tail reddish-brown, with crimped obscure transverse lines; bill dusky horn-color; feet pale.
Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada.
Obs. Resembles in some measure A. palustris, but can be easily distinguished. It appears to be restricted to California, not having been observed in New Mexico or Texas. Ammodramus is the original orthography of the name of this genus given by Swainson as cited above, but that here given is universally adopted, and is much the most usual in generic names of similar derivation.
Plate 21
The Black-headed Oriole
Icterus melanocephalus (Wagler)