226 Birds of Xorth Carolina 



211. Quiscalus quiscula seneus (Ridgtv.). Bronzed Crackle. 



Description. — Body ahvays pcifcftly \iniform Ijronzo, without mixed metallic tints, the color 

 sharply dofincd against the color (steel-lilup, liottle-gi-een, etc.) of head and neck. Female duller. 

 E.xtrenie measurements of 11 specimens from Kaleifjh: I.., ll.lG-13.00; W., .5.1()-.").S."); T., 4.r)0-.^.70. 



lidinjc — Temperate North America, from tlie Rocky Moimtains to the Alleghanies, and from 

 the (lulf of Mexico to northern British America, and on the Atlantic Coast from Long Island 

 northward. 



HaiKjc ill North Carolina.- — Western and central portions during the migrations only. 



So far as we are aware, the Bronzed Graekle appears in this State onlj' as a 

 migrant, specimens having been taken at Raleigh on February 26, 1895, and from 

 November 5 to December 6 in six different years. At Weaver\'ille, Bimcombe 

 County, birds were killed by Cairns from March 10 to 30, 1890 (five specimens 

 secured in all). 



The Bronzed Crackle which from its more extensive distribution and less vari- 

 able characters is considered b.y many to be the original form from which tlie other 

 subspecies of the genus was derived, has the same habits as the Purple Crackle, 

 with which in fact it is usually foiuul associated in this State, and which it closely 

 resembles. 



Genus Megaquiscalus (Cass.) 



212. Megaquiscalus major major (VieilL). Boat-tailed Crackle. 



Discriplion. — Male iridescent green and blue. Female dull dusky brown, lighter beneath, 

 very much smaller. Measurements of two males from Beaufort, N. C: (1) L., 10.00; W., 7.12; 

 T., 7.r,0; (2) L., 16.12; W., Ci.So; T., 6.50. Dimensions of a female from Beaufort: L., 13.75; 

 W., 5.75; T., 5..50. 



Range in United States. — South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, from Virginia to Texas. 



Range in\N(irlh Carolina. — On the whole coast, not inland; resident. 



' The Boat-tailed Crackle, commonly and imiversally knowTi in this State as the 

 "Jackdaw," is found on our coast, where it procures its living along the beaches 

 or in the salt marshes. A large part of its food consists of small crabs, shrimps, or 

 other small sea animals that are washed up by the waves. In North Carolina the 

 species nests in April and May, several pairs often occupying the same tree. The 

 eggs are brownish drab, some tinged \vith olive, others with green, marked with 

 irregular blotches of brown and black. Size about 1.24 x .81. 



The farthest inland the species has been recorded appears to be Plymouth, on 

 Boanokc River, about six miles from Albemarle Sound, where Dr. Smithwick found 

 it nesting in small colonies in April, 1890. For manj' years there has been a breed- 

 ing colony of these grackles in the town of Beaufort. The species is notably polyga- 

 mous. 



45. FAMILY FRINGILLID/E. FINCHES, SPARROWS. ETC. 



This is a very numerous familj' of small birds, containing many of our most 

 familiar species. 



The most distinguishing feature of the birds of this group is the conical 1)111. It 

 is stout at the base and pointed at the tip, and with the comers of the mouth dra\vn 

 sharply downward. 



