Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 555 



Chadwick's. Two nests noted in 1902. Seen and heard July 28, 

 and August 15 and 23, 1906. 



103. RUSTY BLACKBIRD 



EUPHAGUS CAROLINUS (Muller) 



This beautiful blackbird is probably a rather common spring 

 and fall migrant, although we have no spring records. 



In 1899, a considerable flock was noted October 15. In 1904, 

 3 or 4 birds were seen October 23. On November 1, 1912, a fine 

 male in perfect plumage, unable to fly, was captured in Chadwick's 

 garden on Long Point. It was brought into the house where it 

 was kept for an hour. In this time it fully recovered except for a 

 slight wing injury. It Tir as then let loose among the trees where 

 it seemed quite able to take care of itself. On the same day a 

 flock of perhaps a hundred blackbirds, believed to be this species, 

 was seen at a distance in Green's marsh. In the fall of 1913, rusty 

 blackbirds' were noted on September 27, and October 6, 7 and 9, 

 only a few individuals, however, at any one time. On Oct. 6, a fine 

 male was observed at the water's edge on Long Point feeding on 

 the casts of Chironomus larvse that had washed up on the shore 

 in great quantities. It was very busy feeding on the casts and 

 upon water bugs and other small insects on the shore, and so in- 

 tently was it engaged that it allowed us to approach it quite closely. 

 Several others were observed in the trees nearby. The next day 

 several rusty blackbirds were seen picking adult Chironomus in- 

 sects from the limbs and trunks of the trees on Long Point on 

 which many hundreds of the millions that filled the air had 

 alighted. 



104. BRONZED CRACKLE 



QUISCALUS QUISCULA ^ENEUS Ridgway 



The common Grackle or Crow Blackbird is moderately abund- 

 ant as a summer resident; most often seen about the marshes. 

 Arrives as early as March 24 and remains at least as late as Oc- 

 tober 23. 



In September and October, 1913, they were particularly abund- 

 ant. On September 3 and 4 at least 50 were seen feeding in Chad- 

 wick's yard, and they continued to frequent the yard in consider- 

 able numbers for some weeks. They fed to some extent on acorns 

 that had been freshly crushed by people stepping on them. On 

 September 24, they were very abundant and the majority were 

 more or less bob-tailed and unable to fly well on account of their 

 moulting condition. 



