THE BIRDS OF WAYNE COUNTY. 305 



SUBFAMILY QUISCALIN/E. CRACKLES. 



GENUS SCOLECOPHAGUS SWAINSON. 



105, Scolecophagus carolinus (MULL.). 

 Rusty Blackbird. 



A common spring and fall transient, usually quite numerous for a short time dur- 

 ing both these seasons. It has been in spring noted from March 25 to May 8, though 

 usually arriving about the middle of April and disappearing by the first of May. In 

 fall this species has been observed from October 2 (1893) to November 24 (1890). 



Throughout both its migration periods it moves principally in flocks of less than 

 100, often in parties of from two to five individuals ; a flock of 400 was, however, seen 

 April 23, 1893. It associates frequently with Red-winged Blackbirds; also, though 

 less commonly, with Bronzed Crackles. It affects preferably the marshes and swampy 

 woods on the bottom-lands, but has been observed in the upland forests as well. 



GENUS QUISCALUS VIEILLOT. 



SUBGENUS QUISCALUS, 



106. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus (RIDGW.). 

 Bronzed Grackle. 



An abundant summer resident. It arrives usually about the first of March, 

 though sometimes as early as February 25 (1890). It generally disappears before the 

 first of November, but during the winter of 1892-3, which moreover, was not espe- 

 cially mild, a few birds, probably the same individuals, were seen at intervals until 

 January 21, in fi.-lds and about dwellings on the outskirts of Wooster. 



Until at least the middle of April this species may be seen often in flocks, which 

 consist, however, of usually not more than one hundred birds ; while even during the 

 nesting season it sometimes assembles into small companies, especially in the vicinity 

 of a breeding colony. Subsequent to the middle of June, and continuing until its de- 

 parture in the fall, it again collects into flocks, which then often aggregate several 

 hundred individuals. 



The Bronzed Grackle congregates in numbers at its roosting places every night 

 in both spring and fall, but especially during the latter season. These roosts are sit- 

 uated in the trees along the streets of the towns, about rural dwellings, in wood- 

 lands or in swamps. Such a roost existed in the town of Wooster, and was occupied 

 chiefly from June to August. Frequently here the birds could be heard at night, oc- 

 casionally creating among themselves, even at a late hour, a disturbance sufficient to 

 be audible at a considerable distance. 



The Bronzed Grackle breeds most abundantly in the vicinity of dwellings, and 

 for nesting purposes seems to much prefer the evergreen trees ; yet nests have also 

 been observed in thorn bushes ( Cratcegus} on the bottom-lands. If the tree selected 

 be a spruce, the nest is usually placed close to the trunk, at a distance from the 

 ground varying with the size of the tree, the best concealment possible being appar- 

 ently sought; but if the nest be in a pine, it is generally located either at some 

 distance from the trunk among the thick foliage of a horizontal branch, or in an 

 upright fork near the very top of the tree. 



