Rusty Blackbird 93 



can be seen from a long distance, either walking sedately 

 about the pallid, watery low-lands, or swinging on the heights 

 of some naked tree; but later, when the nest is built, and the 

 leaves are all unfolded, he is more often heard than seen. I 

 have never discovered the Grackles indulging in any sort of 

 vocalism, though their common notes, which resemble the 

 squeaking of a rusty hinge worked by intermittent winds, fall 

 not unpleasantly on the ear at a time when more delicate 

 forms of bird life are rare. Grackles are inclined to be 

 gregarious, small colonies dwelling together even in the breeding 

 season, in gentlest amity. The secluded tops of pine trees 

 are generally chosen for nesting places. 



Though rather bulky, the nests are well made, comfortable 

 affairs, and are zealously guarded by both parent birds. The 

 eggs number from three to six, are bluish-gray, or greenish- 

 white, spotted and streaked in a fantastic manner with black 

 and dark brown. 



Purple Grackles arrive in Albany about the middle of 

 March, and depart late in November. 



Rusty Blackbird. — Scolecophagus carolinus. 9.55 



Rare in Spring and Fall 



Field marks. — In Spring, lustrous steel-blue; in Autumn, 

 feathers of upper parts margined with dull brown, giving 

 bird a rusty appearance; eye dull white. 



This bird likes about the same haunts as the Red-wing; so 

 if you see a Blackbird in such a place and it lacks the red 



