quiscalinæ

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. A subfamily of Icteridæ, typified by the genus Quiscalus, usually having a lengthened and more or less boat-shaped tail, somewhat crow-like or thrush-like bill, stout feet, and in the male the color entirely iridescent-black; the American grackles or crow-blackbirds. The species are mostly terrestrial and gregarious. See Quiscalus and Scolecophagus.