A marsh bird ; nests among the flags or bushes, 

 sometimes along streams having little or no 

 swampy character. 



509. Rusty Blackbird — Euphagus carolinus. 



Length 9^ inches. 



Eye pale yellow, apparently whitish. 



Male — Glossy bluish black. Female — Slate- 

 color, glossy above, dull below; wings and tail 

 more glossy, darker. 



In flocks in spring and autumn in marshy places. 



511b. Bronzed Grackle — Quiscalus quiscula 



aencus. 



Robin-size, larger. Length about 12 inches. 



Male — Upper breast, throat, neck, head, varying 

 from brilliant purple to bluish green or steel-blue; 

 back metalic bronze; wings and tail metalic pur- 

 plish or glossy blui-h black; lower breast and belly 

 like back, but duller. Female — Much duller; back 

 and belly brownish, less glossy. 



The common or crow-blackbird. It has a habit 

 of greatly explanding its plumage while it utters 

 its grating, squeaky notes. 



611. Purple Martin. 

 Length 8 inches. 

 (See page 30.) 



34 



