FAMILY IcteridcB 



insects and grubs, or in stubble-fields looking 

 for fallen grain. 



Brewer blackbird, Euphagus cyano- 

 cephalus. 9.00 



Distribution: Western United States, 

 British Provinces and greater part of Mexico, 

 and from the Mississippi valley to the Pacific 

 Coast. In winter south over most of its 

 range to Mexico (except on the Pacific Coast 

 where it is practically resident). 



The Brewer blackbird is found everywhere 

 from sea level to high mountain districts, 

 and is equally common in marshes and the 

 drier parts of its range. It is a more sedate 

 bird than the red-wing, walking about on the 

 ground with long strides in a very independ- 

 ent manner looking for food, and uttering a 

 coarse chack from time to time. During the 

 breeding season it has a curious squeaky 

 little song which it gurgles to its mate as it 

 sits perched on some convenient telegraph 

 wire, or housetop in the city. If it comes to 

 the feeding stations in the winter every other 

 bird will stand aside, for it has a very 

 aggressive manner and will greedily clean the 

 board of all edibles. 



The Brewer blackbird places its nest 

 indiscriminately in bushes or trees, often to 

 100 



