[29] It is an interesting fact in regard to the species of _Icteridæ_, that, as a general rule, female birds of West Indian representatives of the _Agelainæ_ and _Quiscalinæ_ are usually, or perhaps universally, uniformly black, where the continental are brown, either concolored or streaked. We know of no exception to the first part of this statement as to _Agelaius_, _Nesopsar_, _Scolecophagus_, and _Quiscalus_. The smaller North American species of _Quiscalus_ have the females duller, but not otherwise very different from the males, except in size. The females of the large _Quiscalus_, all continental, are much smaller than the males, and totally different. In _Icterus_ all the species in which the female is very different in color from the male are Northern Mexican or continental North American (_pustulatus_, _spurius_, _baltimore_, _bullocki_, _cucullatus_, etc.). Most West Indian _Icterus_ also exhibit no difference in the sexes, _dominicensis_, _hypomelas_, _xanthomus_, _bonanæ_, etc.; in one alone (_leucopteryx_) is the difference appreciable. The South American species have the females pretty generally similar to the males, but smaller, as is the case in the entire family. SUBFAMILY AGELAINÆ. CHAR. Bill stout, conical, and acutely pointed, not longer than the head; the outlines nearly straight, the tip not decurved. Legs adapted for walking, longer than the head. Claws not much curved. Tail moderate, shorter than the wings; nearly even. The _Agelainæ_, through _Molothrus_ and _Dolichonyx_, present a close relation to the _Fringillidæ_ in the comparative shortness and conical shape of the bill, and, in fact, it is very difficult to express in brief words the distinctions which evidently exist. _Dolichonyx_ may be set aside as readily determinate by the character of the feet and tail. The peculiar subfamily characteristics of _Molothrus_ will be found under the generic remarks respecting it. The following diagnosis will serve to define the genera:— A. Bill shorter than the head. Feathers of head and nostrils as in B. Dolichonyx. Tail-feathers with rigid stiffened acuminate points. Middle toe very long, exceeding the head. Molothrus. Tail with the feathers simple; middle toe shorter than the tarsus or head. B. Bill as long as the head. Feathers of crown soft. Nostrils covered by a scale which is directed more or less downwards. Agelaius. First quill shorter than the second and third. Outer lateral claws scarcely reaching to the base of middle; claws moderate. Xanthocephalus. First quill longest. Outer lateral claw reaching nearly to the tip of the middle. Toes and claws all much elongated.