BIRDS OF 

 GENUS SCOLECOPHAGUS SWAINSON. 



197. SCHOLECOPHAGUS CAROLINUS (MULL.). 509. 

 Rusty Blackbird. 



Male in summer lustrous black, the reflections greenish, and not notice- 

 able different on the head ; but not ordinarily found in this condition in the 

 United States ; in general glossy black, nearly all the feathers skirted with 

 warm brown above and brownish-yellow below, frequently continuous on 

 the foreparts ; the male of the first season, like the female, is entirely rusty- 

 brown above, the inner quills edged with the same ; a pale superciliary 

 stripe ; below, mixed rusty and grayish-black, the primaries and tail above 

 black ; bill and feet black at all times. Length, male about 9 ; wing, 4^ ; 

 tail, 3^ ; bill f ; female smaller. 



HAB. Eastern North America, west to Alaska and the Plains. Breeds 

 from Northern New England northward. 



Nest, a coarse structure, resting on a layer of twigs ; composed of grass 

 mixed with mud ; well formed inside and lined with fine grass and rootlets ; 

 usually placed in alder or similar bushes overhanging the water. 



Eggs, 4 to 6 ; grayish-green marked with brown. 



During the last week in April or the first in May according 

 to the weather, the Rusty Grackles are seen in small 

 flocks hurrying on to their breeding places farther north. Their 

 stay at this time is very short, and the collectors have but little 

 chance of securing a male in adult plumage, spring being the 

 only season when such can be had here, and even then only a 

 few in each flock have acquired their nuptial dress. They will 

 no doubt yet be found breeding in Ontario, although, owing to 

 the number of observers being small, the fact (so far as I know) 

 has not yet been recorded. About the end of August or early 

 in September they return in flocks of much greater dimensions 

 than those which passed up in the spring, and in company with 

 the Cowbirds and Redwings continue to frequent the plowed 

 fields, cornfields and wet places till the weather gets cold in 

 October, when they all move off to the south and are not seen 

 again till spring. 



