170 



The Rusty Blackbird visits us in great numbers spring and autumn, 

 joining and forming a considerable part of the large flocks of mixed Black- 

 birds that are seen about the fields and marshes. The name Grackle 

 which is commonly applied to the two yellow (nearly white) eyed Black- 

 birds is doubtlessly derived from the sound of their harsh, crackling notes. 



Genus — Quiscalus. Grackles. 



511. Crow Blackbird, bronzed grackle. fr. — le mainate bronze. Quiscalus 

 quiscula. L, 12. Plate XXVIII A. 



Distinctions. Large size, complete iridescent blackness, and straw-coloured eyes. 

 Field Marks. The all-black body, straw-yellow eyes, and size are good field marks. 

 When flying the long tail of the male is " boated ", that is, spread and turned up at the 

 sides so that a cross-section through it would be U-shaped. This is a most characteristic 

 feature and easily seen in outline against the sky in spring but is less evident or absent 

 in autumn. 



Nesting. Usually in communities in coniferous trees; nest, a large bulky mass of 

 grass and mud. 



Distribution. All temperate North America east of the Rockies. The Bronzed 

 Grackle occupies the Canadian section of the range overlapping that of the Purple, south 

 of our borders. 



SUBSPECIES. The species is divided into three subspecies. The Canadian bird 

 is the Bronzed Grackle Q. q. aeneus. The type form, the Purple Grackle, is a more 

 southern bird that so far has not been taken in Canada, though it should be watched 

 for along our southern borders. It can be recognized by the feathers of the back showing 

 semicircular purple iridescence instead of being an evenly metallic brass. The third 

 form is found in Florida. 



The Crow Blackbird is a gregarious bird and likes to nest in company 

 with its own kind. Evergreens are its favourite nesting trees and it often 

 takes possession of ornamental rows, edging gardens. With its metallic 

 colours and yellow eyes it is a brilliant and striking bird. It walks with 

 comical pomposity over the lawn, or uncouthly gesticulates while it emits 

 unusually discordant noises. 



Economic Status. Through the months the bird is in Canada, insects 

 constitute 29 • 7 per cent of its food and vegetable matter 70 • 3 per cent. 

 The insects include useful predaceous species, but not in large numbers. 

 The vegetable matter contains about 48 per cent of grain and domestic 

 fruit, the remainder being wild fruit, mast, and weed seeds. Much of the 

 grain is waste, and the total cultivated fruit is only 2-9 per cent. On the 

 whole the work of the Bronzed Grackle is beneficial but its numbers should 

 not be allowed to increase greatly. As it is an inveterate nest robber, it is 

 a poor bird to have about the house if other, more attractive species are 

 desired. 



FAMILY— FRrNGILLIDjE. SPARROWS, LINNETS, FINCHES, OR BUNTINGS. 



General Description. As represented in Canada this is generally an easily recognized 

 family. It is composed of small birds — no Canadian species being over 8| inches in 

 length — with unnotched conical bill adapted for cracking seeds, and the gape of the 

 mouth usually decidedly turned down (Figures 50, 51, 52, p. 26). This latter feature 

 is not equally well developed in all species and some of the American Starlings, as pre- 

 viously described (p. 165), exhibit it strongly; but having other marked characters they 

 can be easily distinguished from the Sparrows. 



