107 



225, Scolecophagus carolimis (Mull.). Rusty Black- 



bird. 



Breeding Range — Northern boundary of the eastern U. S.. northward. 

 Winter Distribution — Mostly south of the Middle States. 



Transient, occurring mainly along the river marsihes from March 

 1 to April 15, singly or in small Hocks. In fall the Rusty Blackbirds 

 pass through early in October. A few occasionally winter on the 

 Delaware meadows, Tinicum township, DelaAvare county. Pa., asso- 

 ciating with the large flocks of Sparrows {Stone). A small flock was 

 also recorded by Mr. Chapman at Englewood, N. J., December 24, 

 1884 {Auk, 1888). 



226. Quiscaliis quiscula (Linn.). Purple Grackle. 



Breeding Range — Atlantic slope of U. S., from southern New England 



southward. 

 Winter Distkibdtion — Mainly south of the Middle States. 



Abundant summer resident, breeding in communities. The 

 Grackles arrive about February 20, and after the young are fledged, 

 they collect in immense flocks and repair every night to their roosting 

 places, which they frequent regularly until their departure for the 

 south in November. A very large roost, which has been occupied 

 for a number of years, is situated on a wooded island in the Susque- 

 hanna river near Peachbottom, Lancaster county, Pa. {De Haven). 



A few Grackles occur during winter in the vicinity of Philadel- 

 phia, but seem to be only straggling visitors. At Cape May, N. J., 

 they occur in large flocks dui'ing winter {Stone S^ Rhoads). 



227» Quiscalus quiscula (pneus (Ridgav.). Bronzed 



Grackle. 



Breeding Range — Central N. A., from the Rocky Mts. to the Alleghan- 

 ies and the Atlantic coast, from New England to 

 Hudson Baj\ 



Winter Distribution — South of the Middle States and Ohio Valley. 



Not common, occurring mainly in migrations, thougli some of the 

 breeding Grackles in the central counties of Pennsylvania are prac- 

 tically referable to this race. 



The relationship of the several described races of Grackles is 

 somewhat involved, and the great variety of coloration of birds from 

 the Middle States makes their satisfactory identification a matter of 



