48 THE BREWER BLACKBIRD. 
I'resh eggs may be taken in the Yakima country during the last week 
in April, and in one case noted, deposition began on April 14th; but May 
Ist-15th is the usual rule there and elsewhere. Five eggs is the common 
set, but six to a clutch is not rare. Of twenty-eight nests examined in 
Yakima County, May 4, 1906. 
eleven contained six eggs each; 
while, of something over two 
hundred seen altogether, two 
nests contained seven each. 
It is in his notes that the 
Brewer Blackbird betrays his 
affinities best of all. The melo- 
diously squeaking chatter of 
mating time is, of course, most 
like that of the Rusty Black- 
bird (\S. carolinus), but it lacks 
the bubbling character. He has 
then the swelling note of the 
Grackles proper, fff-qweet, the 
latter part rendered with some- 
thing of a trill, the former 
merely as an aspirate; and the 
whole accompanied by expan- 
sion of body, slight lifting of 
wings, and partial spreading of 
tail. This note is uttered not 
only during the courting sea- 
son, but on the occasion of ex- 
citement of any kind. Kooreé 
has a fine metallic quality 
which promptly links it to the 
Keyring note of the Redwing. Chup is the ordinary note of distrust and 
alarm, or of stern inquiry, as when the bird-man is caught fingering the for- 
bidden ovals. A harsh low rattle, or rolling note, is also used when the 
birds are squabbling among themselves, or fighting for position. 
Unquestionably this species has gradually extended its range within the 
borders of the State, for the earlier investigators did not regard it as resident 
on Puget Sound. It has profited greatly and deservedly by the spread of 
settlement everywhere, and this is especially true of the more open situations. 
Not a little it owes, also, to the introduction of cattle; for it is as great a 
rustler about corrals and stamping grounds as its renegade cousin, the Cowbird. 
Taken in Stevens County. Photo by the Author. 
GROUND NEST OF BREWER BLACKBIRD. 
