394 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 211 



The measurements of 40 eggs average 29.4 by 20.8 millimeters; the 

 eggs showing the four extremes measure 33.0 by 20.0, 24.0 by 22.4, and 

 28.8 by 19.2 millimeters. 



Food. — In a general way, the food of the Florida grackle is similar 

 to that of the species elsewhere, but C. J. Maynard (1896) mentions 

 the following items, some of which are peculiar to this race: 



In early Winter large flocks may be seen on the tops of the palmettoes, feeding 

 on the fruit, and they also eat berries in their season. Later small flocks are 

 found on the margin of streams, frequently wading into them in search of little 

 mollusks, crabs, etc., and it is not rare to meet with one or two scattering individ- 

 uals in the thick hammocks, overturning the leaves in order to find insects or 

 small reptiles which they devour. I once saw one catch a lizard which was crawl- 

 ing over the fan-like frond of a palmetto, and fly with it to the ground. 



The reptile squirmed all the while in its frantic endeavors to escape, but the 

 Blackbird held it firmly and, after beating it to death, removed the skin as adroitly 

 as if accustomed to the operation, then swallowed the body. 



Wayne (1910) says: "The Florida Grackle is a very destructive bird 

 as it eats the eggs of all birds which breed in swamps, making a system- 

 atic search for nests which contain eggs, Swainson's Warbler (Helinaia 

 swainsonii) being generally the victim. It also eats the eggs of the 

 freshwater terrapin." 



Winter. — The Florida grackle is generally regarded as a permanent 

 resident throughout its breeding range, but Mr. Greene (1946) says 

 that his records indicate that it is absent from the Florida Keys from 

 September to February, inclusive. He thinks that they may join 

 those farther north on the mainland. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — The Florida grackle is resident from southeastern Louisi- 

 ana (Isle Bonne, Chef Menteur) and southern Mississippi (Bay St. 

 Louis, Agricola), to central-western and southeastern Alabama (Re- 

 form, Dothan), central Georgia (Montezuma, Augusta), eastern 

 South Carolina (Anderson), eastern North Carolina (Lake Matta- 

 muskeet, Kittyhawk), and southeastern Virginia (Newport News, 

 Pungo); south to southern Florida (Key West, Grassy Key, Key 

 Biscayne). 



