30 THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 



when feeding' on the latter it also takes the worm under 

 the husk. When wintering here it feeds on the seeds of 

 ragweed and birdweed. 



Blackbird, Musty, or Thrush Blackbird. — Length, 

 nine to nine and a half inches; extent, thirteen to four- 

 teen inches; bill, four-fifths of an inch. The coloring of 

 this bird, when breeding, is a glossy blue black, but in the 

 fall and winter the plumage is bordered with rusty mark- 

 ings which give it a decided brownish tint; the female, 

 while breeding, is of a slate color, but in fall and winter 

 is veiled in rusty like the male. The nest is a bulky af- 

 fair, built in trees or on the ground, of twigs and coarse 

 grasses, lined with finer grasses. There are from four to 

 seven eggs, gray green in color, with brown or purple 

 spots, one inch by three- fourths in size. The birds breed 

 north of the northeastern boundary of the United States 

 and winter south of the Middle States. They are seen in 

 New Jersey, principally in the river marshes, in March 

 and October; occasionally one is found to winter, when 

 the season is mild. They arrive in pairs and are very shy 

 and retiring. Their song, very seldom heard, is a confus- 

 ion of harsh whistles; the call note a cluck. 



Blackhead. See Greater Scaup. 



Blackhead, Xiittle. See Lesser Scaup. 



Blackbreast. See Red-backed Sandpiper. 



Bluebill. See Greater Scaup. 



Bluebill, Xjittle. See Lesser Scaup. 



Bluebird. Lengh, six and a half inches; extent, 

 eleven inches; bill half an inch; the head, tail and the 

 wings are of a bright sky-bhie with purple reflections; 

 breast, brown; belly, white; legs, black; soles of feet, yel- 



