Rural School Leaflet 



829 



Crackle. — Size : Larger than a robin. 



General color: Black all over. 



Distinctive features: The grackle walks like a crow. The absence of 

 red shoulder patches distinguishes it at once from the red-winged blackbird. 

 At close range it may be distinguished from the rusty blackbird by its 

 larger size, wedge-shaped tail, and yellowish eyes, the eyes of the rusty 

 blackbird being white. 



Chapman in " Bird Life " gives some interesting facts about grackles, 

 as follows: 



" Grackles are among the few of our land birds who live in flocks all 

 the year. They pass the winter and migrate in larger companies, but 

 when nesting are in smaller bands or colonies. They generally select a 

 pine grove, often choosing one in a cemetery, park, or other locality where 

 they will not be disturbed. This may result in a scarcity of food when 

 the young are born, but, rather than abandon a locality which experience 

 has proved to be safe, they make long journeys in search of food for their 

 nestlings. By watching the old birds one may then easily learn where 

 they live." 



The bronzed grackle, or crow blackbird 



