30 THE RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 
cunning and heartsome too, for the bird to select with thoughtful brotherly 
kindness, a morsel of food, and hop over toward the clamoring stranger and 
drop it in his mouth; after this to stand back as if to say, “There, baby! how 
did you like that?” This trait was not shown by a chance exhibition alone but 
became a regular habit, which was still followed when the older bird had at- 
tained to fly-catching. It upset all one’s notions about instinct, and made one 
think of a Golden Rule for birds. 
No. 12. 
RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 
A, O. U. No. 509. Scolecophagus carolinus ( Mull.). 
Synonyms.—Rusty GRACKLE; THRUSH BLACKBIRD. 
Description.—Adult male in breeding plumage: Uniform glossy black, 
with bluish green reflections; iris pale straw. At other seasons’ the plumage 
bears rufous or “rusty” tips above, especially anteriorly, and rufescent or buffy 
tips below, in varying proportions ; a light line also over the eye. ‘The full nuptial 
dress is seldom seen in Ohio, but may be found by narrowly observing the latest 
migrants in spring. Adult female in breeding plumage: Blackish slate, lustrous 
above, duller below. At other seasons the general cast of plumage is lighter, 
and the overlay of rusty or buffy is similar to that of the male. Adult male, 
length 9.00-9.60 (228.6-243.8) ; wing 4.49 (114.) ; tail 3.68 (93.5) ; bill .76 (19.3). 
Female smaller. 
Recognition Marks.—Robin size; plumage usually rusty-tinged during mi- 
grations in Ohio. If in full plumage they are the only pure black birds of the 
size. In the common flocks of “blackbirds” in early spring, the high whistling 
notes belong to the Rusties. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, of sticks and coarse grasses held 
together with mud, lined with fine grasses and rootlets, placed in bushes or high 
in coniferous trees. Eggs, 4-7, grayish or pale green, speckled and mottled 
with purples or reddish browns, and without streaks or lines. Av. size, 1.00 x .76 
(25.4 X 19.3). 
General Range.—E astern and northern North America, west to Alaska and 
the Plains. Breeds from northern United States northward. Winters from Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee southward. 
Range in Ohio.—Abundant spring and fall migrant. Winters sparingly in 
southern portion. 
THE great roving hordes of “Blackbirds” in early spring are likely to con- 
tain at least a sprinkling of “‘Rusties,” but usually they are not so eager to press 
on as are the impulsive Redwings, and so they fall out of the ranks by dozens 
and scores. Succeeding platoons composed of these birds alone keep arriving 
