98 EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



those of No. 509, and the nests are similar, but are placed in 

 reeds. Breeds in Western North America, from the plains 

 to the Pacific, north to the Saskatchewan region, in May. 



511. Purple Gkackle, Quiscalus quiscula. Eggs, 4 or 5, 

 oval, pale blue, spotted, blotched, and lined with brown and 

 umber, but the lines are not well defined on the edges ; .86 -j- 

 1.09 to .90 -|- 1.30. Nests, bulky structures, composed of 

 grass, Aveeds, and mud, lined with giass placed in trees. Breeds 

 in the Atlantic States, from Florida to Long Island, in May. 



511«. Florida Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula agloius. Eggs, 

 3 to 5, generally similar to those of No. 511, but ai-e, perhaps, 

 smaller. Nests placed in palmetto trees at the base of the 

 fronds. Breeds in Florida, in April. 



511 J. Broxzed Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula ceneus. Eggs, 

 3 to 5, indistinguishable from those of No. 511, and the nests 

 and nesting habits ai-e similar. Breeds from the AUeghanies 

 and New England west to the Rocky Mountains, and north 

 to Hudson's Bay, in May. 



512. Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus macrourus. Eggs, 

 3 or 4, oval, pale blue, marked with clearly defined lines and 

 spots of umber and brown, and this distinguishes them from 

 those of the last three numbers. Nests m grass and reeds ; 

 they are large, compact structures, composed of grass firmly 

 woven together. Breeds in Eastern Texas, southward, in April. 



513. Boat-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus major. (Type, 

 Plate VIII.) Eggs, 3 or 4, oval, indistinguishable from those 

 of No. 512, and the nests and nesting habits are similar. 

 Breeds in the coast region of the South Atlantic and Gulf 

 States, fi-om North Carolina to Texas, in April and May. 



Family XLIX. — FRINGILLID^. Finches, Sparrows, 



Etc. 



Eggs, variously colored, but are, as a rule, spotted. Nests, 

 in the majority of cases, placed in trees or at an elevation 

 above the ground, but frequently on the ground. 



