BIRD^ OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 313 



in spring and fall, and is not of much economic value here ; 

 therefore, its descrii)tion is omitted. The other species of 

 the family will be considered here, for they all frequent 

 meadows, grass fields, or cultivated lands. 



The Bronzed Grackle and the Purple Grackle are both 

 found in the State, but, as they are alike in form, notes, and 

 habits, they are both known as Crow Blackbirds, and will 

 not be treated separately. 



Purple Grackle. Crow Blackbird. 



Quiscalus quiscula. 

 Length. — Twelve to thirteen and one-half inches. 

 Adult i/a^e. — Variously purple, green, blue, violet, and bronzy; wings and tail 



mainly purplish; dark purplish or steel-blue on neck and breast; back 



greenish or bronzy ; iris straw-yellow. 

 Adult Female. — Similar, but browner. 



Nest. — A bulky structure, often built in tall coniferous trees. 

 Eggs. — Greenish, spotted and streaked with black and brown. 

 Season. — March to November. (This form intermingles with the succeeding 



one.) 



Bronzed Grackle. Western Crow Blackbird. 



Quiscalus quiscula cencus. 



Adult Male. — Similar to above, but body brassy or bronzy ; head, neck, and 

 upper breast mainly steel-blue ; wings and tail violet and steel-blue. 



Adult Female. — Similar to that of the Purple Grackle. Both the above forms 

 ■* look black at a distance, and then are not distinguishable from one an- 

 other ; both forms have the tail long. 



Nest, Eggs, and Season. — Like those of the Purple Grackle ; winters rarely. 



These birds, the largest of the family in Massachusetts, find 

 their normal habitat about meadows or marshes ; but thev 

 have taken kindly to civilization, and, where they are not 

 much persecuted, are common about lawns, fields, and gar- 

 dens. They may often be seen walking about on Boston 

 Common or in the Public Garden. They build their nests 

 in tall shade trees near suburban and city residences or about 

 cemeteries, and they frequent well-kept lawns. They are 

 so large and i)owerful that not even the Sparrow can drive 

 them out ; and if the Sparrows attack their eggs or young, 

 the Blackbirds are not slow to retaliate with effect. 



These birds are conspicuous, and when close at hand are 

 unmistakable. The tail is often held with its outer feathers 

 upturned like the sides of a boat, particularly when they fly, 



