226 ICTERIDvE. 



and these of the most noxious kind the gruhs and cater- 

 pillars that are the greatest enemies to vegetation. In 

 August it collects in small bands, which as the season 

 advances join company and move southward. In winter the 

 associated flocks may be numbered, says Audubon, by 

 millions, and chiefly frequent marshy grounds whereon they 

 feed. Wilson compared the noise of their wings as they rose 

 to thunder. In the air they wheel about, and appear at 

 times like a black cloud driven by the wind and varying in 

 shape every moment. Presently they will alight in some 

 detached grove, and at once begin a grand vocal performance 

 which, the same observer says, can be heard more than two 

 miles off. Towards evening they settle with much noise in 

 compact bodies on the reeds and rushes close above the 

 water, and, when disturbed, repeat their aerial evolutions ; but, 

 finally pitching on the spot first chosen, remain there for the 

 night.* Early in March these large assemblies break up. 

 A part separate in pairs and remain among the southern 

 swamps, but the greater number in small flocks, the males 

 leading the way, return northward and seek their breeding- 

 haunts, which are on the borders of streams or marshy spots. 

 The nest is usually placed in a low bush, among thick reeds 

 or even on the ground, but occasionally a loftier site is chosen. 

 Its outer framework is usually of rushes and flags, within 

 which are arranged sedge and grass. The eggs vary much, 

 and are of a greenish-white or pale pinkish-brown, blotched 

 and lined with dark liver-brown some of the markings, which 

 often form a cap or zone, being sharply defined, while others 

 are surrounded by a penumbra besides a few blotches of light 

 ash-colour. They measure from 1'15 to *92 by from '76 to 

 65 in. In New England these birds rear but one brood in 

 the season, but further to the southward they are said to have 

 three or more. 



Some of the habits of this species will thus be seen 

 greatly to resemble those of our Starling, but the two birds 



* Dr. Coues states that the sexes of the western form (Ayelteus tricolor) 

 keep apart in their winter-flocks. Whether this is also the case with the eastern 

 bird does not appear. 



