Il8 SINGING BIRDS. 



of winter, numerous flocks, after foraging through the day, return 

 from considerable distances to their general roosts among the 

 reeds. On approaching their station, each detachment, as it 

 arrives, in straggling groups like crows, sweeps round the marsh 

 in waving flight, forming circles ; amidst these bodies, the note 

 of the old reconnoitring leader may be heard, and no sooner 

 has he fixed upon the intended spot than they all descend and 

 take their stations in an instant. At this time they are also 

 frequently accompanied by the Ferruginous species, with which 

 they associate in a friendly manner. 



The Blackbird is easily tamed, sings in confinement, and 

 may be taught to articulate some few words pretty distinctly. 

 Among the variety of its natural notes, the peculiarly affected 

 sibilation of the Starling is heard in the wottitshee, wottitshee, 

 and whistle, which often accompanies this note. 



In Nuttall's day variety making had not come in fashion, and 

 the systematists were content to treat the Crow Blackbirds of east- 

 ern North America as of one form. Now we have three forms, 

 with three "distinctive scientific appellations." It is somewhat 

 difficult to distinguish these forms, except in extreme phases of 

 plumage, for many specimens of the Northern variety have the 

 diagnostic characters of the Southern birds. The present race is 

 said to occur on the Atlantic coast of the United States, north to 

 Massachusetts, and in the lower valley of the Mississippi. 



The Bronze Crackle (<2- qtdsaila ceneus) lacks the purple 

 metallic tint on the body, that being replaced by a tint of bronze ; 

 the purple and blue tints are restricted to the head and neck. The 

 wings and tail are purple. This form is abundant throughout the 

 New England States and Canada, and ranges north to Hudson's 

 Bay and west to the Great Plains. I have seen nests of these 

 birds placed on the beams of barns in New Brunswick. The 

 farmers along the St. John and Kenebecasis rivers erect barns on 

 the marshy islands and " intervales " to store their hay until it can 

 be carried to the mainland on the ice ; and these barns, being un- 

 used during the breeding season, offer excellent building sites for 

 colonies of Crow Blackbirds and Swallows. The nests are fastened 

 to the beams with mud in much the same method as that adopted 

 by Robins. 



A smaller race with a larger tail is restricted to Florida and the 

 adjacent country and westward to the Mississippi. It is named 

 the Florida Crackle {Q. quisaila algceus) 



