COMMON GROW BLACKBIRD. 



(iiiisfalus qniscula. 



DESCRIPTION. 



BUI stout and about as long as head; bill and feet blaek; ills 

 yellow. In life may be recognized by the V-shaped tail, so 

 conspicuous when flying. Hieadi and 'necl< all well defined 

 steel-blue, the rest of the body with varied reflections of 

 bronze, golden, green, copper and purple, the latter most con- 

 spicuous, especially on tail, the tail coverts and wings. 



female. — Similar, but smaller and duller, with more green on 

 the head. 



Young.— Very similar to female. The eyes of young birds are 

 brown. 



Male. — Measures about thirteen inches long and eighteen 

 inches in extent. 



Habitat. — Atlantic States, from Florida to Long Island. 

 Common summer resident in Pennsylvania. 



It can saiely, be said that of tlie numerous leincscii 

 tatives of the avian tribe abounding througlioiu ihis 

 j^ieat Cainmouwealth, no species is more abundant or 

 familiarly known than is the subject of this article, 

 Early in the month of March this species arrives in 

 Pennsylvania in lai-ge-sized flocks from their winter- 

 ing resorts, viz: Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and 

 otther of the southern states. 



During mild winters, however, I have frequently uh- 

 servod them, in limited numbers, in Chester and Dela- 

 ware counties; also in the county of New Castle, Dela- 

 ware; correctly speakiiis'. liowcvt-r, we c^mnot properly 

 regard these birds a.** winter residents of the Keystone 

 State. 



LK.\D .A No.M.MHi' I,IF1';, 



For a ](eri(Hl of ahiiiil one immlli fulinwint;- tlieir 

 vernal arrival they i-onni over Die ((ninliy, fiequenling 



