128 NEBRASKA STATE HOHTICULTURAI^ S(XJIETY. 



(ler compromising .circumstances, and have heard pretty strong evi- 

 dence to the effect that it will occasionally j)iincturc ripe apples. It 

 also belongs in the same family with some generally acceded " rascals," 

 hence I will admit that possibly some of the charges with which he is 

 credited may be true; but I still believe that most of the injuries to 

 grapes in this and other states must be laid to other origin. 



If we take pains to water our birds during the dry seasons they will 

 be much less apt to seek this supply from the juices of fruits that are 

 so temptingly near at hand. Place little pans of water in the orchard 

 and vineyard where the birds can visit them without fear of being 

 seized by the house cat or knocked over by a missile from the alert 

 "small boy," and I am sure that the injury to fruit, to a great extent 

 at least, will cease. (See also account of English Sparrow.) 



508. Icterus bullocki (Stoains.). — Bullock's Oriole. 



West Point, Ft. Robinson — breeds (L. Bruner); "is also frequently seen in 

 Nebraska" (Aughey); "Summer resident, common; Ibnnd mostly in the 

 western part of the state" (Taylor); "East to Dakota and Texas" (Goss). 



509. Scolecophagus carolinus {Mull.). — Rusty Blackbird. 



West Point, Lincoln, Lyons, a few remain with us all winter (L. Bruner); 

 "This species abounds in early spring and in the last of September and Octo- 

 ber during its migrations" (Aughey); "Found in early spring and September 

 and October, probably remains in the state during winter" (Taylor); " West 

 to Great Plains" (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); 

 "An abundant migrant" (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Oct. 8, 10, 25 (D. A. Hag- 

 gard). 



510. Scolecophagus cyanocephalusf IFa^/^.).— Brewer's Black- 



bird. 



West Point, Holt county (L. Bruner); " very abundant in Nebraska, where 

 it breeds" (Aughey); "Migratory, common; summer resident, not common; 

 arrives in April and leaves in September" (Taylor); "East to western Minne- 

 sota and Texas" (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (.1. M. Bates); 

 Omaha, "a common migrant, usually in company with Bronzed and Purple 

 grackles(I. S. Trostler). 



511. duiscalus quiscula (im>i.).— Purple Grackle. 



West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner) ; " abundant in eastern Nebraska " ( Aughey) ; 

 Omaha — nesting (L. Skow); "an abundant migrant and somewhat common 

 summer resident, arrives March 20 to April 10, breeds May 10 to 20, departs 

 last of September and early October" (I. S. Trostler). 



61 16. duiscalus quiscula aeneus (i?%?(;.).— Bronzed Grackle. 



Lincoln, West Point, Omaha, Fremont, etc. — breeds { L. Bruner); "Summer 

 resident, common, probably remains in the state during winter" (Taylor); 



