d11. Quiscalus quiscula 
CROW BLACKBIRD, GRACKLE. 13 inches 
Male. Above and below iridescent tints of purple and bronze; 
Jong, rounded tail. Female. Much duller; a browner and a 
smaller bird. 
Sub-species ; Bronzed and Purple Grackles, habits of the two identi- 
cal. Bronzed has more metallic lustre than the Purple. They 
walk, feed on grubs, caterpillars, army worms, etc. Notice their 
flight; it is straight and direct, and the tail is used as a rudder. 
Bronzed is more common in Massachusetts and northward. 
Arrives in March. 
Note. A creaking, grating call. 
Nest. Usually in an evergreen in gardens. 
Breeds. Throughout New England. 
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