314 Bird -Lore 



exposure made by the plough. In vain does it hurry, for the Grackle has seen 

 and marked it for its own, and it is snatched up and swallowed in a moment. 



"Thus does the Grackle follow the husbandman as he turns one furrow 

 after another, destroying a far worse enemy to the corn than itself, for every 

 worm which it devours would else shortly cut the slender blade and thereby 

 destroy the plant when it would perhaps be too late to renew it by fresh seed. 

 Every reflecting farmer knows this well, and refrains from disturbing the 

 Grackle at this season. Were he as merciful at another time, it would prove 

 his grateful recollection of the services thus rendered him. But man is too 

 often forgetful of the benefit which he has received; he permits his too com- 

 monly weak and selfish feelings to prevail over his reason, and no sooner does 

 the corn become fit for his own use, than he vows and executes vengeance 

 on all intruders." 



Usually the note of the Grackle is a hoarse cluck, and while in flight various 

 members of the company emit these unmusical calls. In spring the male 

 indulges in what he probably considers a song. This consists of a short series 

 of squeaky cries that have often been compared to the musical creaking of a 

 rusty hinge. Often a whole flock of Grackles will be found standing about in 

 the tree-tops pouring forth this weird melody, making an indescribable, and 

 not overly pleasing, volume of sound. 



The above are the notes usually heard, but they have several other calls 

 and squeaks, all highly characteristic of Grackle music. 



These birds seem to live serious, somber lives, and as Dr. Frank Chapman 

 has pointed out, they appear never to play or to enjoy any of the lighter or 

 more frivolous sensations of life. 



A company of Grackles in flight is a sight worth watching. Often hundreds 

 of birds advance through the air in almost perfect rank-formation. At times 

 lines a hundred yards or more in length may be seen and their movements 

 strongly suggest those of well-trained soldiers. In passing across the 

 country, they generally move just above the tree-tops, remaining about the 

 same distance from the ground even when crossing the open fields or meadows. 

 The flight is direct, strong, and quite rapid. 



Grackles at times come about the homes where kindly people provide food 

 for the wild birds. Here it has often been noted that the big black bird is 

 well able to take care of himself. The pugnacious English Sparrow seems to 

 give him no concern, and the Robin and Blue Jay will immediately give 

 ground when the Grackle indicates the slightest wish that they should depart. 



By watching Grackles at feeding stations one may see them engage in 

 interesting and most surprising activities. On one occasion while visiting 

 friends who were in the habit of feeding birds in their back yard, the conver- 

 sation was interrupted by an invitation to come out and see an old Grackle 

 and her young. Members of tin- household had been feeding these birds for 

 some days, giving them scraps of raw meat, crumbs, cracked corn, and Other 



