161 



511. Crow Blackbird. BRONZED CRACKLE. PR. LE MAINATE BRONZE. Quisculus 

 quiscula. L, 12. Plate XXVIII A. 



Distinctions. Large size, complete iridescent blackness, and straw-coloured eyes. 



Field Marks. The all black body, straw-yellow eyes, and size are good field marks. 

 When flying the long tail is "boated", that is spread and turned up at the sides so that a 

 cross section through it would be U-shaped. This is a most characteristic feature and 

 easily seen in outline against the sky. 



Nesting. Usually in communities in coniferous trees; nest a large bulky mass of grass 

 and mud. 



Distribution. All of temperate North America east of the Rockies. The Bronzed 

 Crackle occupies the Canadian section of the range overlapping that of the Purple south of 

 our borders. 



SUBSPECIES. The species is divided into three subspecies. The Canadian bird is 

 the Bronzed Crackle Q. q. aeneus. The type form, the Purple Crackle, is a more southern 

 bird that so far has not been taken in Canada, though it should be watched for along our 

 southern borders. It can be recognized by the feathers of the back showing semicircular 

 purple iridescence instead of being an evenly metallic brass. The third form is found in 

 Florida. 



The Crow Blackbird is a gregarious bird and likes to nest in company 

 with its own kind. Evergreens are its favourite nesting trees and it often 

 takes possession of ornamental rows edging gardens. With its metallic 

 colours and yellow eyes it is a brilliant and striking bird. It walks with 

 comical pomposity over the lawn, or uncouthly gesticulates while it emits 

 unusually discordant noises. 



Economic Status. Through the months the bird is in Canada, insects 

 constitute 29-7 per cent of its food and vegetable matter 70-3 per cent. 

 The insects include useful predaceous species, but not in large numbers. 

 The vegetable matter contains about 48 per cent of grain and domestic 

 fruit, the remainder being wild fruit, mast, and weed seeds. Much of the 

 grain is waste, and the total cultivated fruit is only 2-9 per cent. On the 

 whole the work of the Bronzed Grackle is beneficial but its numbers should 

 not be allowed to greatly increase. As it is an inveterate nest robber it is 

 a poor bird to have about the house if other more attractive species are 

 desired. 



FAMILY FRINGILLIDJ3. SPARROWS, LINNETS, FINCHES, OR BUNTINGS. 



General Description. As represented in Canada this is generally an easily recognized 

 family. It is composed of small birds, no Canadian species being over 8^ inches in length 

 with unnotched conical bill adapted for cracking seeds, and the gape of the mouth usually 

 decidedly turned down (Figures 50, 51, 52, p. 26). This latter feature is not equally well 

 developed in all species and some of the American Starlings, as previously describee! (p. 156), 

 exhibit it strongly; but having other marked characters they can be easily distinguished 

 from the Sparrows. 



Distinctions. The bill is the best point of recognition; that of the ordinary domesti- 

 cated Canary is of the characteristic sparrow type. The birds most likely to be mistaken 

 for members of this family are the Bobolink (Figure 46, p. 26) and Cowbird (p. 157) of 

 the previous family and the Tanagers, of the next one. These are all easily separated by 

 their striking colours (see under specific headings.) The Tanagers show notches hi the 

 cutting edges and tip of the mandibles which make them easy to recognize (Figure 53, 

 p. 26). In one group of Sparrows, the Crossbills, the tips of the bill cross each other 

 (Figure 52, p. 26) ; in another, the Grosbeaks, the bill is very large and heavy (Figure 

 50, p. 26). 



The sparrows form the largest and most important family of the 

 Perchers, and are probably the most important family of birds in the world. 

 They are found everywhere except in Australia and are represented in all 



