Family XVI. AGELAINAE. MARSH BLACK-BIRDS. 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.