412 LAND BIRDS 
song birds or insect-eating birds has been sacrificed, and 
Californians are to be congratulated that as yet the 
Cowbird is only an irregular winter visitant to the south- 
eastern corner of their State. 
510. BREWER BLACKBIRD. — Scolecophagus 
cyanocephalus. 
Famity: The Blackbirds, Orioles, ete. 
Length: 8.75-10.25. 
Adult Male: Uniform glossy greenish black ; head and neck purplish 
black. 
Adult Female: Upper parts brownish slate ; head and neck brownish 
gray, faintly glossed with purple ; wings and tail glossed with metal- 
lic bluish green ; under parts brownish gray faintly glossed with green. 
Young: Similar to female, but paler and without gloss. 
Geographical Distribution: Western North America, north to British 
Columbia ; east to Minnesota and Nebraska; soutli to Lower Cali- 
fornia. 
California Breeding Ranges Below Boreal zone, nearly throughout the 
State. 
Breeding Season: April 15 to July 1. 
Nest: Placed in low trees or bushes, not over 8 feet from the ground ; 
rather bulky ; made of sticks, plant stalks, grass, shreds of bark, dry 
grass, and moss, generally cemented with earth or manure ; lined 
with fine rootlets, horsehair, and dry grass. 
Eggs: 4 to 6; pale gray or greenish white, profusely blotched, marbled, 
streaked, and spotted with irregularly shaped markings of brown and 
lavender. Size 0.96 X 0.71. 
THE purple grackle of the Hast is replaced throughout 
California by the Brewer Blackbird, which closely resem- 
bles the Eastern species. It is a trifle smaller, with 
blue rather than purple iridescence on its black plumage, 
especially about the head and throat, but has the same 
conspicuous yellow iris as its kinsfolk. In habits these 
