224 Birds of Xorth Carolixa 



Like the preceding, this fine liird is a good singer and a determined devourer of 

 insects, and is also deserving of our fullest protection. 



Genus Euphagus (Cass.) 



209. Euphagus carolinus {MuU.}. Rusty Blackbikd. 



Description. — Adult male in summer, wholly glossy black, unmarked; adult female, brownish 

 slate in summer. Winter birds of both soxo.'; are similar, but have the ground-color more or 

 less overlaid with rustv above and buffv brlow. Extreme measurements of 19 specimens from 

 Raleigh: L., 8..5O-9.0.5; W., 4.1.5-4.8.5; i".. ;j.l(j-:i.9.5. 



Range. — Eastern North America, breeding mainly north of the United States. 



Range in North Carolina. — -Whole State during the migrating period of the species; winters to- 

 a limited extent in the eastern section. 



Fia. 176. UlSTV BLACKIilHll. 



Tlic Rusty Blackljird occurs in Xortli Carolina mainly wiien migrating in early 

 spring and late fall, but has been observed at New Bern in early January, 1885 

 (H. H. Brimloy), and at Raleigli. .lanuary 2.5, 1892. Outside of these dates our 

 records are onlj- of evidently migrating birds, the actual dates l)eing at Weaver- 

 ville, Buncombe County, from February 2 to May 2 (Cairns); at Chapel Hill, 

 Fel)ruary 3, 1889, and later (Pearson); at Pea Island, Fel)ruary 17 and IS, 1901 

 (Bishop); at Andrews, Cherokee County, Feliniary 27 and later (Mrs. Wilson); 

 and at Raleigh from February 15 to April 20 in spring, and from October 17 to- 

 November 17 in fall (C. S. Briniley). These last are our only fall records, with 

 the e.\ception of two observ(>d at Chapel Hill, October 17, 1900, by MacXider. 



The Rusty Blackbird is not a jiarticidarly conunon bird in the State, never 

 occinring in really large flocks, but usually seen in companies of not nif)re than 

 fifteen or twenty individuals. In autmnu they are not infrequently found in woods 

 feeding on dogwood berries. Later they sometimes frequent the lowgrounds to feed 

 on frost grapes. In sj-jring they feed nuich on the groimd in marsiiy i)laces. among 

 willows or otiier bushe.s. At all seasons tliey seem much easier to ajiproach tlian 

 other l)lackbir(ls. 



Genus Quiscalus (Vieill.) 



The Crow Blackbirds or (irackles are large l)lackl)irds with tail and wing about 

 equal in length. The bill is stout, and the plumage in both sexes has a more or 

 less metaUie luster. 



