104 Mr. Peabody on the 1 
This bird returns from the south early in the 
spring, and large numbers resort together to some 
favorite tree, where they associate with each other 
on the most friendly terms, and keep up a perpetual 
chatter. They build also in communities, sometimes 
in bushes, but most frequently in a large tree. The 
nest is made of mud and coarse grass, with a lining 
of fine grass and horse hair. The eggs are five or 
six, green, blotched with dark olive. As soon as the 
leaves fall, the young set out with their parents, in 
vast collections, on their retuzn to the south, laying 
the country under contribution as they go. No mat- 
ter how much they are fired upon, they think it 
better to be shot than to starve, and all the efforts 
of the farmer cannot drive them from his fields. Au- 
dubon says that the southern farmers soak their seed 
in a solution of Glauber's salts, which is believed to 
make it less palatable to the birds in the spring. 
The Brack Onrorg, Quiscalus baritus, is seldom 
seen in this vicinity, and probably rests here but 
a little while, on its annual migration. One has 
been obtained by Mr. Samuel Cabot, jr. in the neigh- 
borhood of Boston. MP 
^ uu 
The Rusty Gratie, Quiscalus ferrugineus, 38 
much more common than the former, in the western 
part of the state. On their way to the north, they 
are in haste, having an immense distance to travel ; 
on their return, they are more deliberate, and are 
seen in the field in large flocks, keeping company 
with the cattle. Neither this nor the former rears its 
young in this state. 
