Bill short, stout, straight, depressed, being much broader than high
at the base, with the dorsal line arched, the ridge narrow, the sides
sloping, the gape-line straightish or slightly arched, the notches
rather large, the tip very small and declinate. Head rather large,
broadly ovate; neck short; body compact. Tarsus of moderate length,
compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes small, the hind one not
much stouter, the lateral equal. Claws moderate, arched, compressed,
acute. Plumage soft, full, and blended. Wings of moderate length,
broad, and rounded. Tail short or of moderate length, generally
rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with a prominent median line;
tongue triangular, horny, thin-edged, rather obtuse, bristly at the
end; œsophagus wide, without dilatation; stomach rather small,
roundish, moderately muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium;
intestine short, of moderate width; cœca very small.
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.