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PURPLE GRAKLE OR COMMON CROW-BLACKBIRD. 



QUISCALUS VERSICOLOR, ViEILL. 

 PLATE VII. Male and Female. 



I COULD not think of any better mode of representing these birds than 

 that which I have adopted, as it exhibits them in the exercise of their ne- 

 farious propensities. Look at them : The male, as if full of delight at the 

 sight of the havoc which he has already committed on the tender, juicy, 

 unripe corn on which he stands, has swelled his throat, and is calling in 

 exultation to his companions to come and assist him in demolishing it. 

 The female has fed herself, and is about to fly off" with a well-loaded bill 

 to her hungry and expectant bi'ood, that, from the nest, look on their 

 plundering parents, joyously anticipating the pleasures of which they shall 

 ere long be allowed to participate. See how torn the husk is from the ear, 

 and how nearly devoured the grains of corn already are ! This is the 

 tithe our Blackbirds take from our planters and farmers ; but it was so 

 appointed, and such is the will of the beneficent Creator. 



These birds are constant residents in Louisiana. I say they are so, be- 

 cause a certain number of them, which in some countries would be called 

 immense, is found there at all seasons of the year. No sooner has the 

 cotton or corn planter begun to turn his land into brown furrows, than 

 the Crow-Blackbirds are seen saihng down from the skirts of the woods, 

 alighting in the fields, and following his track along the ridges of newly- 

 turned earth, with an elegant and elevated step, which shews them to be 

 as fearless and free as the air through which they wing their way. The 

 genial rays of the sun shine on their silky plumage, and offer to the plough- 

 man's eye such rich and varying tints, that no painter, however gifted, 

 could ever imitate them. The coppery bronze, which in one light shews 

 its rich gloss, is, by the least motion of the bird, changed in a moment 

 to brilHant and deep azure, and again, in the next light, becomes reful- 

 gent sapphire or emerald-green. 



The bird stops, spreads its tail, lowers its wings, and, with swelled 

 throat and open bill, sounds a call to those which may chance to be pass- 

 ing near. The stately step is resumed. Its keen eye, busily engaged on 

 either side, is immediately attracted by a grub, hastening to hide itself 



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