402 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 211 



ville, Term., after the parents had been shot. This bird was never 

 caged. It was placed in a basket, which served as a nest ; had absolute 

 freedom, and was normal in its development. Much of its behavior 

 was probably similar to birds brought up by their parents. During the 

 first few days his hunger was expressed by characteristic squawking 

 begging notes. About 2 weeks after his arrival the partially naked 

 little bird had become fledged and was given the freedom of the 

 out-of-doors. 



This bird revealed many traits and characteristics that remind one 

 of pet crows kept under similar circumstances. "From July until 

 early fall he gradually molted his juvenal plumage and acquired the 

 beautiful glossy black feathers of the adult bronzed grackle. In re- 

 flected light his plumage was rich in glistening purples, blues, and 

 greens. His juvenal squawkings were replaced in mid-August by the 

 characteristic squeaking, creaking songs of his kind." In late August 

 this bird exhibited a distinct courtship behavior toward a hand- 

 raised female cardinal. The pet grackle paid no attention to other 

 grackles that visited the garden during the 4 months he was develop- 

 ing. In September he made long trips of a mile or more, even visiting 

 blackbird roosts in the vicinity, but always returning to his foster 

 home to be fed. After September 17 there was a marked change in 

 his behavior, and from then on he seldom spent the night at home, 

 but returned in the morning. During the first days of October he 

 was frequently absent during the day but made trips back to be fed 

 and to receive the attentions of his hostess. Finally, on October 6, 

 after being fed "he flew to the peak of the porch, wagged his tail 

 a bit and then flew to the west, singing. This is the first time he left 

 singing and the last time he was seen." He probably left on the 

 migration to the south with the other members of the roost he had 

 been visiting. 



Plumages. — According to Jonathan Dwight (1900), the plumages 

 and molts of the bronzed grackle correspond to those of the purple, 

 the descriptions of which follow : 



Natal down. Pale sepia-brown. 



Juvenal plumage acquired by a complete postnatal moult. Whole plumage dull 

 clove-brown, the body feathers often very faintly edged with paler brown. Tail 

 darker with purplish tints. Bill and feet sepia-brown, black when older. 



First winter plumage acquired by a complete post juvenal moult early in 

 August. The iridescent black dress is acquired, old and young becoming indis- 

 tinguishable. 



Some birds assume metallic green heads and some blue, while the backs are 

 of all colors and patterns so that age can have nothing to do with the varied 

 colors of this species. 



First nuptial plumage acquired by wear which produces no noticeable effect 

 as is regularly the case with iridescent plumages. 



