264 B O A T " T A I L., G R A K L E. 



nally with bents and fibres, with plainer at the bottom. They lay 

 five or fix eggs, of a pale plue color, thinly fpotted and ftriped with 

 black. After the breeding-feafon, they return with their young from 

 their moil diftant quarters, in flights continuing for miles in length, 

 blackening the very fky, in order to make their depredations on the 

 ripening maize. It is unfortunate that they increafe in proportion as 

 the country is more cultivated ; following the maize, in places they 

 were before unknown, wherefoever that grain is introduced. 



They migrate from the Korthern colonies at approach of winter j 

 but continue in Carolina the whole year, feeding about the barn- 

 <ioor. Their flelh is rank, and unpalatable ; and is only the food of 

 birds of prey. The fmall Hawks dafh among the flocks, and catch, 

 them in the air. 



They are alfo found in Mexico, and in the ifland of Jamaica^ 

 They are fometimes eaten ; but their flelh is hard, rank, and of bad 

 nourifhment. 



Boat-tail. GracnlaBarrita, 2,/a. Sjy?. 165. — Latham,i, /^6q» 



Le Troupiaie Noir, Ifterus Niger, Briffon, iL 105.— D« Buffon, iii. 220. — PZ, 



Enl. 534. 

 Monedula tota nigra, 5/oa««, 299. — Rail Syu.av. 18^- — Lev. Mus. 



i^ "With the bill an inch and a half long, fharp, and black: 

 plumage black, gloflfed with purple : tail cuneiform, expanded 

 when walking ; in flight, or on the perch, folded, fo as to form an, 

 oblong cavity in its upper part. Length about thirteen inches. 

 Place, Inhabits not only the greater Antilles y but the warmer parts of 



North America ; conforting with the Purfle Grakles, and Red-winged 

 Orioles. Feeds on maize and infefts ; in the iflands on Bananas. 



IX. CUCKOO;. 



