AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. i6i 



CRACKLES, 



We will include the Purple Crackle and the two sub-species under 

 this heading. The habits of the three varieties are very similar and 

 the same illustrations will answer for either. The only differences are 

 in the matter of size of the Florida Crackle and in the different color 

 reflections of the other two, matters that can not be shown in the 

 illustration. They are all commonly known in their several localities 

 as Crow Blackbirds. 



PURPLE CRACKLE, 



A. O. U. No. 511. (Qalscalusqniscula.) 



RANGE. 



Chiefly east of the Alleghanies along the Atlantic coast from Florida 

 to Massachusetts. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, from 12 to 13 inches; extent, about 18 inches; tail, from 5 to 

 6 inches. The tail is very much rounded, the outer feathers being 

 about an inch and a half shorter than the middle ones. Bill and feet, 

 black. Eye very pale yellow almost white. Entire plumage, black. 

 The iridescence is very variable but is most intense during the breed- 

 ing season. The entire head and neck have brilliant purple and blue 

 reflections. The wings and tail are steel blue, and the back and under 

 parts have a duller and rather greenish iridescence. 



BRONZED CRACKLE. 



A. O. U. No. 511b. (Quiscalusqaisoala aeneiis.) 



RANGE. 



This variety has by far the greater range and is found throughout 

 the U. vS. east of the Rocky Mts. and in southeastern Canada. 

 DESCRIPTION. 



This bird is precisely like the former in size and form. The only 

 difference being in the iridescence, which appears to be nearly the re- 

 verse. The head is steel blue and the wings and tail purple, while the 

 back and under parts have a very brassy reflection (from which the 

 name aeneus is given to it) that is always lacking in the Purple Crackle. 



FLORIDA CRACKLE, 



A. O. U. No. 511a. (Uuiscalus qiiiscula aglaeus) 



RANGE AND DESCRIPTION. 

 Found along the south Atlantic and southern Culf coasts. This va- 

 riety is from an inch to an inch and a half shorter than the preceeding. 

 Otherwise it is almost exactly like the Purple Crackle. 



