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The nest of the latter is of very large dimensions — often from three 

 to four feet in breadth, and from four to five feet high, composed ex- 

 ternally of large sticks or faggots, among the interstices of which 

 sometimes three or four pairs of Crow Blackbirds will construct 

 their nests, while the Hawk is sitting or hatching above them.^- 

 Here each pursues the duties of incubation and of rearing its 

 young, living in the greatest harmony, and mutually watching and 

 protecting each other's property from depredators." 



aUISCALUS FERRUGINEUS— LATH. 



RUSTY GRAKLE. 



Rusty Grakle, Gracula ferruginea, Wils. Amer. Orn. 



Quiscalus ferrugineus, Boiiap. Syn. 



Scolecophagus ferrugineus, Rusty Maggot-eater, Sw. & Rich. 



Rusty Blackbird, Quiscalis ferrugineus, Nutt Man. 



Rusty Grakle, Quiscalis ferrugineus, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Tail rounded ; fore part of the back trans- 

 versely marked with reddish-brown. Adult male with the plum- 

 age glossy black, with green reflections ; the feathers, particularly 

 those on the fore part of the back, are tipped with reddish-brown ; 

 tail feathers rather broad, and slightly rounded. Female rather 

 smaller than the male, with the plumage duller. Length of male 

 nine inches, wing four and three quarters. 



This species, not so abundant as the former, visits us in spring, 

 and in the early part of April, retires to the more northern latitudes 

 to breed. According to Dr. Richardson, it arrives on the Saskatch- 

 ewan in the latter part of April, and at Great Bear Lake, lat. 

 65 deg., by the third of May, generally in pairs, which for a time 

 frequent the sandy beaches of secluded lakes, and feed on coleop- 

 terous insects. It returns to us in the latter part of September, then 

 frequenting the corn-fields, which furnish the principal part of its 

 food. At the approach of winter, it takes its departure for the 

 South. 



