BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 367 



olinian fauna from the n. shore of L. I. Sound, rarely Mass., and the middle 

 Hudson Valley w. to the Alleghanies and s. to the uplands of Ga., Ala., and 

 e. Tenn. ; winters mainly s. of the Delaware Valley. 



Washington, common T. V. and S. R., Feb. 20; a few winter. Ossining, 

 tolerably common S. R., Feb. 15-Nov. 8. Cambridge, rare S. R. 



Nest, bulky and compact, of mud and coarse grasses lined with finer 

 grasses, in colonies, generally in coniferous trees about 30 feet up, some- 

 times in bushes or holes in trees. Eggs, 3-7, very variable, generally pale 

 bluish or bluish green, singularly spotted, blotched, or scrawled with 

 cinnamon-brown, umber, or black, but sometimes evenly speckled with 

 brownish, and rarely almost solid cinnamon- or rufous-brown, 1*15 x '82. 

 Date, D. C., Apl. 17; Delaware Co., Pa., Apl. 25. 



When winter gives signs of retreating, there comes from the south 

 in sable array the tried advance guard of the feathered army which is 

 impatiently awaiting the order to march. In close rank they come, 

 phalanx after phalanx, to retake the land which winter once conquer- 

 ing, now defeated yields to them. The air resounds with martial music; 

 their harsh voices, united, rise in an inspiring chorus. 



The campaign over, they settle in colonies on their recently acquired 

 possessions, and these careless rovers become so attached to their 

 homes and families that they are rarely seen far from their vicinity. 

 Sometimes we may see them walking sedately over the lawns near their 

 home, their glossy plumage gleaming in the light, and their yellow eyes 

 giving them a peculiar, unbirdlike expression. But when their young are 

 , old enough to care for themselves, the old habits return, and, leading 

 their offspring into the world, they teach them the ways of wanderers. 

 Meeting others of their kind, they join forces, and in the fall we find 

 them in hordes ravaging the country. 



The Crackle's disposition is as gloomy as his plumage is dark. Life 

 with him is a serious affair. He seems to utterly lack the Blue Jay's 

 sense of humor. As a parent he is beyond reproach, and every moment 

 is devoted to the care of his young, but it is all done in a joyless way. 

 Eggs and nestlings form part of his fare, and I can imagine bird-mothers 

 frightening their young into obedience by threatened visits from that 

 ogre, the Crackle. 



1892. CHAPMAN, F. M., Bull. A. M. N. H., 1-20 (relationships). 1897. 

 JONES, L., Wilson Bull., No. 15, 39-56 (roosts). 



51 la. Q. q. aglaeus (Baird). FLORIDA CRACKLE. Ad. <?. Head, 

 neck, throat and upper breast all around metallic violet-purple; back and 

 rump rich bottle green, the feathers with more or less concealed iridescent 

 bars; wings and tail externally metallic purple or bluish black; the wing- 

 coverts generally with iridescent tips; lower breast and belly similar to the 

 back but duller. Ad. 9. Not distinguishable in color from the 9 of Q. q. 

 quiscula, but differing in size. W., 5'38; T., 4'90; B., 1*25. 



Range. S. Atlantic coast from S. C. through to Fla., and w. in the s. 

 part of the Gulf States to e. Tex. 



Nesting date, San Mateo, Fla., Mch. 30. 



This is a locally abundant bird, and is found in flocks throughout 

 the year. In Florida it sometimes lives in the towns in which live-oaks 

 grow, and it also makes its headquarters in cypress 'bays/ but its 



