They breed on the ground under the grass, and conceal their nest so well that I doubt whether the parasitical Molothrus ever finds it.

Icterus, Molothrus, Richmondena, Guiraca, and Passerina lack the fibrous band that passes around the front of the knee.

For birds like the Cuckoo and the Molothrus it is not possible to plead attenuating circumstances.