NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



twigs, hay, grasses, and mud is frequently used. Breeds throughout its 



range. Hab. Atlantic coast of United States. 



278^:. Florida Grackle — quiscalus purpureus agl.eus. Similar to 

 those of the preceding species; four to six; average size 1.17 by .85. 

 Nesting habits same as those of purpureus. This race or species is resident 

 in Southern Florida. 



278/?. Bronzed Grackle — quiscalus purpureus ^neus. Light greenish 

 or smoky-blue, with irregular lines, dots, blotches and scrawls distributed 

 over the surface; there is just as 'much variation in the eggs of this species 

 as is found in those of purpureus, of the Atlantic slope; four to six in 

 number; size 1.24 by .85. This Crow Blackbird, like the Purple Grackle, 

 nests anywhere in trees or bushes, on boughs or in hollow limbs or stumps 

 at any height. A clump of evergreen trees in a lonely spot is a favorite 

 site ; often large colonies will nest in such places ; and it is also found espe- 

 cially abundant in sycamore groves along streams and in oak woodland. 

 Breeds anywhere in its range. 



Hab. New England and Mississippi region of United States. 



280. American Raven — corvus corax carnivorus. Light green, with 

 dots and blotches of purple and blackish-brown, in some chiefly at the larger 

 end, in others scattered over the entire ^g^\ the complement ranges from 

 four to eight in number, oftener four or five; size 2. by 1.30, with consid- 

 erable variation. The Raven selects the most inaccessible places for its 

 nest; the highest trees and cliffs are places usually chosen. The nest is 

 bulky and compact, composed of sticks and lined with sea-weed. This 

 bird is a constant resident throughout Eastern North America north of 

 Massachusetts, and is very abundant everywhere west of the Mississippi 

 River. 



28L White-necked Raven — corvus cryptoleucus. Light green, 

 marked with fine dots of purple, brown and lilac; four to eight in number; 

 size 1.75 by 1.25. Nesting habits same as those of the common Raven. 

 This bird is found in Southeastern United States, abundant on the Llano 

 Estacado and higher Rio Grande of Texas, and is found as far north as 

 Wyoming; southward to Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and portions of 

 California. 



282. Common Crow — corvus frugivorus. Light sea-green, more or 

 less thickly spotted and blotched with dark brown, almost black, with pur- 

 plish reflections; these are chiefly about the larger end, but great varia- 

 tions exist both in ground color, markings, size and shape ; the eggs are 

 from four to six in number, and the average size is about 1.70 by 1.20. 



