70 Sketches of Some Common Birds. 



BEONZED GRACKLE. 



None of the residents of the orchard is more abundantly- 

 represented or more noticeable in its vocalism and move- 

 ments than the bronzed grackle, or blackbird. The family 

 Icteridce, with which the bronzed grackle is connected, is 

 eminently noted for its showy and handsome species, or 

 for the otherwise attractive characteristics of its members. 

 It contains the sub- families of the so-called American 

 starlings, the so-called orioles, and the so-called grackles 

 or crow-blackbirds, each group mentioned having been 

 accorded a conspicuous place in literature or in the esti- 

 mation of the naturalist. The bronzed grackle is by no 

 means unworthy a place in the notable gathering in- 

 cluding the Baltimore and orchard orioles, the meadow 

 lark, the bobolink, and their well-known allies. Its habits, 

 however, are apparently inimical at times to the interest 

 of the farmer and gardener, and have done much to 

 render unpopular a species which in form and appearance 

 is little inferior to the most gifted of its relatives. Its oc- 

 casional havoc in the growing crops and among the rij^en- 

 ing fruit has caused the farmer to overlook the valuable 

 services of the grackle at the time when its assistance is in- 

 dispensable. Thus the grackle has been brought into bad 

 repute, and it is disliked and persecuted in consequence. 

 Yet, in spite of the persecution it receives from various 

 sources, the number of individuals has not apparently les- 

 sened, and every recurring fall the usual long flocks can 

 be seen flying to their accustomed roosting-places. 



In my boyish days, the coming of the bronzed grackles 

 after the breaking of winter filled me with delight, for I 

 learned to regard them as the surest heralds of the ap- 

 proaching spring. Scarcely had the snow disappeared 

 from the fields, and the first faint hues of green tinged the 

 warmer knolls and dryer spots of the meadows, ere tlie 

 first groups of grackles took possession of the tops of the 

 maples, and announced their arrival in their loud but not 

 unmusical quiscaline jargon. I loved to hear 



"* * the blackirds clattrin' in tall trees, 

 An' settlin' things in windy Congresses" — 



