CHAPTER SIXTEEN 



THE BLACKBIRD FAMILY 



THIS family of American birds includes about 150 

 species, most of which are not found so far north as the 

 United States. Some of the members of the family 

 differ much in color, vocal power, and habits from the 

 blackbirds for which the family is named. They are 

 related to the sparrow family but have as a rule a longer 

 beak. Unlike most of our perching birds, they walk 

 instead of hopping when they are on the ground. 



Grackles. Our most common blackbirds are known 

 as grackles or crow blackbirds, of which there are several 

 kinds in the United States. When the lustrous plu- 

 mage of the male is seen in a good light, the bird is hand- 

 some. How do they compare in size with robins? Are 

 their tails as long as a robin's tail? How much of the 

 year do they spend in your neighborhood? Do they 

 show any preference* for evergreens ? 



In many towns there are grackle roosts to which these 

 blackbirds resort in great numbers year after year. 

 After the young are able to leave their nests, hundreds 

 of young and old come from miles around to roost every 

 night in a few trees not far apart. Some trees have 

 been used by the grackles for more than forty years. 

 Do you know of such a roost ? 



Their nesting is done in smaller colonies, and they 

 usually build a bulky nest at a considerable height in 

 a spruce or other evergreen. Perhaps you have seen 

 their nests in other situations. Have you ever seen 

 them molesting the nests of other birds? Have you 

 ever known them to make any music ? 



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