BLAt‘lx’BIltl)S, UltIOIiICS, ETC. 26$

This bird is found during the migrations in small flocks on fresh- water meadows or about open. bushy swamps, feeding on the ground in alder thickets or along the edges of swampy woods. 1t resembles, more or less, the lied-winged Blackbird in size, flight, and notes, but unlike this species, with which it sometimes associates, it is compara- tively quiet and retiring. Only at times, in the spring, do we find the flocks musical centers, whence issues a confused medley of whistles, sweeter and higher-pitched than the best etTorts of the Redwings. Little is known of this Blackbird in its northern home. It gathers into flocks early in the summer, and the most frequently heard note is a “ clack,” not in the least characteristic. Its quiet demeanor, pale- yellow eye, and uniform color are its chief distinguishing characters in the field, where it may be mistaken for the Bronzed or l’urple Graekle. The gray female is unlike the str \aked female Redwing.

J. Dwmn'r, JR.

Btu-urinals BLAI‘KBIRD (r710. Sealer-opinions egmim'rplzalua‘) inhabits west- ern North America, and is of casual occurrence as far east as Illinois and Louisiana, and has been once recorded from South (,‘arolina. It may be dis— tinguished from S. carol/nus by its deep violet-purple head and the compare- tive absence of rusty tips to the feathers.

51 I. Quiscalus qulscula (Li/111.). I'I‘iu'tr: GRACKLI-z; Cuow BLACK- nian. tSee Fig. 40'», c.) All. 6.711ead, neek, throat, and upper breast all around varying from brilliant metallic purple to bluish green or steel—blue; back and rump varying from bottle-green t0 metallic purple or shining brassy green, llag/iwtt/u-Iw aft/t mum-amt bars,“ wings and tail externally metallic purple or bluish black ; lower breast and belly resembling the back but duller. Ar]. 9 .AMueh duller than the malc.but the feathers ot'the back generally show- ingatleasttraeesofiridescenee. 5 Ii..12‘l)w13‘.’io: “1.5"“; T.. 515; 1.115.

Remarka—Intermediates between this and the Bronzed Grackl * are found where their ranges adjoin, but typical r/ust‘u/u always has iridescent bars on the feathers of the back. rump. and belly, while in a was these bars are want— ing. (01] the relationships of this group see Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. IIist.,iv,1892. pp. 1720.)

It‘rmg/e.—Breeds in the, lower )Iis. nies from Georgia to Massachusetts: winters in the Southern States.

Washington. common '1‘. Y. and S, R., Feb. 21); a few winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. It. Feb. 15 to Nov. 8.

Next, bulky and compact, of mud and coarse grasses lined with finer

sippi Valley and east of the Alleghe-

gzrasses. in colonies. generally in coniferous trees about thirty feet up, some— times in bushes or holes in trees. [if/(Is. three to six. very variable, generally pale bluish or bluish green. singularly spotted, blotehed. or scrawled with (“innalIIDH-ltrturn. umber. or black. but sometimes evenly speckled with brown- ifill, and rarely almost solid einnamou~ or rutousibrown. 1'15 x '82.

When winter gives signs of retreating there comes from the south in sable array the tried advance guard of the feathered army which is