Wayne: Birds of South Carolina. Ill 



191. Euphagus carolinus (Miill.). Rusty Blackbird. 



The Rusty Blackbird is an abundant autumn, winter, and early 

 spring visitant, frequenting large swamps and living for the most 

 part on the ground, where it procures its food. My earliest au- 

 tumn record is October 22, 1905; it is, however, common by Nov- 

 ember 5, and remains until March 7, which is my latest date. 



The birds begin to moult about the middle of February, and a 

 specimen taken by the writer on February 27, 1905, had almost 

 acquired the full summer plumage. The song period is of short 

 duration, lasting about three weeks. Great numbers of Rusty 

 Blackbirds frequent the rice plantations in winter, associating 

 with Florida Crackles (Quiscalus quiscula aglceus) and Boat- 

 tailed Crackles (Megaquiscalus major), where stacks of rice have 

 been left in the fields. 



This species breeds from northern New York to Labrador and 

 northwestward to Behring Sea. 



192. Quiscalus quiscula (Linn.). Purple Crackle. 



A specimen of this species that I took on November 30, 1889, 

 at Moorfield plantation, near Pinopolis, South CaroUna, is the 

 sole record I have for the coast. This specimen was sent for 

 positive determination to my friend Mr. William Brewster, who 

 recorded it in the Auk,^ as true Q. quiscula. It is a female in 

 high plumage, No. 2237 of my register, and is still in my collec- 

 tion. 



This grackle breeds in the interior of the State and northward 

 to the Middle States. 



193. Quiscalus quiscula aglaeus (Baircl) . Florida Crackle. 

 This form of the Purple Crackle is a permanent resident in 



the coast region, being found at all seasons in great numbers. 

 It is, however, a freshwater bird, rarely, if ever, visiting the 

 salt marshes. In winter I have seen countless thousands of 

 these beautiful birds on the rice plantations in company with 

 the Boat-tailed Crackle, feeding upon rice which was left in the 

 fields. 



The Florida Crackle is a very destructive bird as it eats the 

 eggs of all birds which breed in swamps, making a systematic 

 search for nests which contain eggs, Swainson's Warbler (Heli- 



> VII, 1890, 208. 



