366 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



and more glosgy. Ad. 9 and Int. 9 in winter. Similar, but somewhat lighter, 

 the upperparts widely tipped with rufous or rusty, the underparts similarly 

 tipped with ochraceous- or cream -buff. L., 9'55; W., 4'61; T., 3'52; 

 B., '80. 



Range. E. and n. N. Am. Breeds in Boreal zone from the Kowak 

 River, Alaska, n. Mackenzie, cen. Keewatin, and n. Ungava s. to s. Alaska, 

 cen. Alberta, s. Keewatin, cen. Ont., N. Y., Vt., N. H., n. Maine, N. B., and 

 N. S.; winters mainly s. of the Ohio and Delaware valleys to the Gulf coast; 

 w. in migration to the Plains; casual in B. C., Mont., and Colo.; accidental 

 in Calif., L. Calif., and Greenland. 



Washington, common W. V., Oct. 13-Apl. 30. Ossining, common T. V., 

 Mch. 26-May 8; Sept. 28-Nov. 27. Cambridge, very common T. V., Mch. 

 10-May 8; Sept. 15-Oct. 31. N. Ohio, common T. V., Mch. 5-May 10; 

 Sept. 10-Nov. 15. Glen Ellyn, common T. V., Mch. 3-May 8; Sept. 12- 

 Nov. 15; uncommon W. V. SE. Minn., common T. V., Mch. 26-N9V. 24. 



Nest, of twigs and coarse grasses lined with finer grasses, in coniferous 

 trees or on the ground. Eggs, 4-7, grayish green to pale green, thickly 

 blotched with light and dark brown and purple, TOO x "76 (Chamberlain). 

 Date, Wilmurt, N. Y., May 7; Kings Co., N. S., May 11. 



This bird is found during the migrations in small flocks on fresh- 

 water meadows or about open, bushy swamps, feeding on the ground 

 in alder thickets or along the edges of swampy woods. It resembles, 

 more or less, the Red-winged Blackbird in size, flight, and notes, but 

 unlike this species, with which it sometimes associates, it is compara- 

 tively quiet and retiring. Only at times, in the spring, do we find the 

 flocks musical centers, whence issues a confused medley of whistles, 

 sweeter and higher-pitched than the best efforts of the Redwings. 

 Little is known of this Blackbird in its northern home. It gathers into 

 flocks early in the summer, and the most frequently heard note is a 

 cluck, not in the least characteristic. Its quiet demeanor, pale yellow 

 eye, and uniform color are its chief distinguishing characters in the 

 field, where it may be mistaken for the Bronzed or Purple Grackle. 

 The gray female is unlike the streaked female Redwing. 



J. DWIGHT, JR. 



BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (510. Euphagus cyanocephalus) inhabits western 

 North America, and is of casual occurrence as far east as Illinois and 

 Louisiana, and has been once recorded from South Carolina. It may be 

 distinguished from E. carolinus by its deep violet-purple head and the com- 

 parative absence of rusty tips to the feathers. 



511. Quiscalus quiscula quiscula (Linn.). PURPLE GRACKLE. (Fig. 

 63c.) Ad. d*. Head, neck, throat, and upper breast all around varying 

 from brilliant metallic purple to bluish green or steel-blue; back and rump 

 varying from ^bottle-green to metallic purple or shining brassy green, the 

 feathers with iridescent bars; wings and tail externally metallic purple or 

 bluish black; lower breast and belly resembling the back but duller. Ad. 9. 

 Much duller than the male, but the feathers of the back generally show- 

 ing at least traces of iridescence. <? L., 12'00-13'50; W., 5*66; T., 5'18; 

 B., 1-18. 



Remarks. Intermediates between this and the Bronzed Grackle are 

 found where their ranges adjoin, but typical quiscula always has iridescent 

 bars on the feathers of the back, rump, and belly, while in aneus these bars 

 are wanting. (On relationships of this group see Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. 

 Nat. Hist., IV, 1892, 1-20.) 



Range. Middle Atlantic coast region of the U. S. Breeds in the Car- 



