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; _ Report OF. THE “COMMISSIONER. OF AGR 1CULTURE. | ao 
es i BFR 
430 
‘Graceville, Big Stang Coping: Rtaae , duly i, 1887,—Numerous ; feeding on 
(See Yellow-headed Blackbird.) ; 
eos Flandreau, Moody County, Dak., May 3-81, 1887. —N ot numerous ; a few bre Wr 
Utare along the banks of the river and in the bushes. Found one nest in a bush 4 feet ay 
high, and one in a bush 8 feet high. ; =a 
5 ale a Sisseton, Marshall County, Dak., June 15-18, 1887.—Numerous. Shae i yak) ms 
-.. . Yarwood, Cass: County, Dak., July 12-15, 1887 —Common. . aaa 
_ Pembina, Dak., July 21-August 2, 1887. —Have not seen more than 5 or 6 except — 
ata slougit where there was a flock of about 20 
_ Devil's ; Lake, Ramsey County, Dak., August 6-19, 1887.—Numerous in large flocks — 
(from 1,000 to less). As near as I can judge these flocks are composed of about — 
40 per cent. Red- -wings, 40 per cent. Yellow-heads, 15 per cent. Cowbirds, and 5_ 
per cent. Purple Grackles. Sometimes they separate into flocks composed mainly 
of one species, but are constantly changing and mixing. The grain-fields near a 
- Jake or grove suffer most, while those far from either are seldom visited. The birds — 
begin to ) feed at sunrise, and remain in or near the field until about sundown, when 
_ large flocks pour into the reeds near the lake to roost. Besides what they eat, they 7 
shell and knock off much grain, and where it has become thoroughly ripe before 
being cut the ground is covered with grain. ee 
Bottineau, Dak. (western edge of Turtle Mountain), August 22-30, 1887. —Numer- — 7! 
ous in large ‘flocks, feeding mostly on fields of unripe oats. Roost in reeds and wil- ; 
. ., lows along the creek. 
4 Fort Buford, Dak., September 1-20, 1887.—About 20 were seen in a flock of other 
ee Blackbirds early i in September, but none were seen after the 10th. They were feed- 
ing on grasshoppers and sunflower seeds. 
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PURPLE GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula). 
Heron Lake, Jackson County, Minn., May 13-22, 1887.—Scarce ; found three or! ee 
four pairs breeding in groves. ey 
Ortonville, Big Stone County, Minn., June 18, 1887. = Common ; breeds in ‘the 
timber along the lake. 
Brown’s Valley, Traverse County, Minn., June 21-July 8, 1887.—Common. (See 
Yellow-headed Blackbird.) ", 
Graceville, Big Stone County, Minn., July 11, 1887.—Numerous, (See Yellow- 
ny headed Blackbird.) 
ae Flandreau, Moody County, Dak., May 25-31, 1887.—Common. 
Harwood, Cass County, Dak., July 12, 1887.—Common. f oa 
Grand Forks, Dak., July 19, 1887, —Common. art 
Pembina, Dak., July 2{-August 2 2, 1887.—A flock of 15 or 20 stay in town and "ae 
feed around kitchen doors and in the streets; have not seen them out of town, F 
Devil’s Lake, Ramsey County, Dak., August 6-19, 1887.—Common ; not numer> -. #) * 
ous. Raha 
Bottineau, Dak. (western edge of Turtle Mountain), August 22-30, 1887.—Common — ‘y 
in large flocks feeding on grain and bur-oak acorns. ie 
BREWER’S BLACKBIRD (Seolecophagus cyanocephalus). 
Pembina, Dak., July 21-August 2, 1887.—Saw about 20. - t sa, 
Fort Buford, Dak., September 1- 20, 1887.—Numerous ; probably 500 stay arate pei. 
the settlement, feeding r lar gely on grasshoppers. They also eat wild sunflower seed 5 
(Helianthus), and feed along roads, railroads, and around houses. They roost in 
the brush on the flats. 
Tilyou’s Ranch, Dawson County, Mont., September 23-October 7, 1887.—Co 
mon. Saw a flock of about 40 with a her d of sheep; half of the flock were on aed a 
backs of the sheep most of the time. el 
CowsikpD (Molothrus ater). 
Round Lake, Nobles County, Minn., May 12. 1887.—Common. f 
Heron Lake, Jackson County, Minn., May 13-22, 1887.—Numerous. ; 
Or tonville, Big Stone C ‘ounty, Minn., June 13, 1887,—Numerous. 
Brown's V alley, Traverse County, Minn., June 21—July 8, 1887.—Numerous. 
Flandreau, Moody County, Dak., May 95-31, 1887.—Common. Mas 
Fort Sisseton, Marshall County, Dak., June 15-18, 1887.—Numerous. sn 
Harwood, Cass County, Dak., July. 12-15, 1887.—Common. ; 
Pembina, Dak., July 21-August 2 1887.—Common. Have not seen them in — “4 
fields. - A flock of about 20 zo with @ herd of cows. 
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