length 9.00-9.60 (228.6-243.8) ; wing 449 (114.) ; tail 3.68 (93.5) ; bill .76 (19.3). 



I'cnialc smaller. 



Rcco^'iiiiion Marks. — Robin size; plumage usually rusty-tinged during mi- 

 grations in Ohio. If in full plumage they are the only pure black birils of the 

 size. In the common tlocks of "blackbirds" in early spring, the high whistling 

 notes belong to the Rusties. 



Nesting.— ^ Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, of slicks and coarse grasses held 

 together with mud, lined with hue grasses and rootlets, placed in bushes or high 

 in coniferous trees. E(j(js, 4-7, grayish or pale green, speckled and mottled 

 with purples or reddish browns, and without streaks or lines. A v. size, 1.00 .x .76 

 (25.4x19.3). 



General Range- — Eastern and northern North .America, west to Alaska and 

 the Plains. l^)rceds frcim northern United States northward. Winters from 

 Kentucky and Tennessee southward. 



The great roving hordes of "Blackbirds" in early spring are likely to con- 

 tain at least a sprinkling of "Rusties," but usually they are not so eager to press 

 on as are the impulsive Redwings, and so they fall out of the ranks by dozens 

 and scores. Succeeding platoons composed of these birds alone keep arriving 

 from the south during the last weeks in March and the first in April, while 

 many do not depart for their summer home in the far north till the first or even 

 second week in May. 



Rusty Blackbirds are to be found chielly in damp woods and along streams. 

 While with us they are rather retiring, partly because they are pilgrims — and 

 it behooves all such to be modest — and partly because they undergo the spring 

 moult en route. The last trace of rusty edging must be removed from the 

 feathers before the breeding ground is reached, though such as have attained the 

 full dignity of dress suits may declare their hearts to the ladies before they 

 quit Ohio. 



In some tiny glade in the heart of the budding forest it is that one comes 

 upon a company of these sojourners, feeding perhaps upon the ground. They 

 walk about with easy grace or shift by little flights, males and females flocking 

 together, and all engaged in a subdued but voluble chatter. An instant hush 

 follows the signal of alarm and the flock rises silently to the neighboring tree- 

 tops or passes to a distant spot, where their conversation is gradually resumed. 

 As the alarm decreases the birds come gradually dropping down, one by one, 

 until confidence is completely restored again. 



The notes of the Rusty Blackbird consist of a bubbling medley of I's and 

 r's through which clear, high-pitched whistles or squeaks are interspersed at 

 will. Gonuliillier conveys some idea of the liquid quality of the former, and 

 expresses also in part the effort which is required to produce them. The eft'ect 

 of a full chorus is really quite pleasing. If not "music" it is at least among the 



less disagreeable of noises. 



953 



