GREAT CROW BLACKBIRD. 173 



For the same purpose we give in the following plate a figure of the 

 female Common Crow Blackbird, which differs so little from its mate 

 (admirably represented in the first volume of Wilson's Ornithology), 

 that it would be otherwise unnecessary. This measure we believe will 

 be acceptable to ornithologists, as it furnishes them with means of com- 

 paring the females of both the species in question, whence the most 

 striking distinctive characters are obtained ; that of one species differing 

 considerably in size and color from the male, while the sexes of the 

 other are very similar in appearance. 



Wilson having mentioned this species in his catalogue of land birds, 

 evidently intended to describe and figure it ; but this he deferred, pro- 

 bably, in expectation of obtaining better opportunities of examination, 

 which are not so readily presented, as the bird does not inhabit this 

 section of the United States. 



It would be difficult to ascertain whether or not Linn^ and Latham 

 have mentioned this bird in any part of their works, but the reader may 

 perceive our opinion on this point by referring to our synonymes, which, 

 however, are given with much doubt, since we do not hesitate to say, 

 that those authors have not published any satisfactory description of this 

 species. 



We shall not endeavor to settle the question relative to the species 

 inhabiting South America, or even Mexico and the West Indies ; but 

 we may assert, that this is the only Blackbird found in the United 

 States, besides those of Wilson, which, as is the case with all that his 

 pencil or pen has touched, are established incontestably : he may occa- 

 sionally have been mistaken as to his genera, or incorrect in a specific 

 name, but by the plate, description, and history, he has always deter- 

 mined his bird so obviously, as to defy criticism, and prevent future 

 mistake. 



Mr. Ord has published an excellent paper in the Journal of the 

 Academy of Natural Sciences, proving the existence, in the United 

 States, of two allied species of Crow Blackbird, in which he gives new 

 descriptions, indicates stable characters, and adds an account of their 

 respective habits ; but in attempting to correct Wilson, he has unfortu- 

 nately misapplied the names. In this instance, he should not have 

 charged Wilson with error, who is certainly correct in regard to the 

 species he published ; and even had this been doubtful, he who so well 

 described and figured the Common Crow Blackbird, ought to have been 

 followed by ornithologists. Therefore, notwithstanding Mr. Ord's deci- 

 sion, we consider the quiscala of Wilson unquestionably the true qui»- 

 eala of authors ; this is so obvious, that is unnecessary to adduce any 

 evidence in support of our opinion, which, indeed, is sufficiently afforded 

 by Mr. Ord's paper itself. 



It is impossible to decide with certainty, what bird authors intended 



