68 the; birds of rhode island. 



(17s) 501. Sturnella magna (Linn.). Meadowlark. 

 Marsh Quail. — An abundant resident. This species winters in 

 large numbers, flocks of over one hundred birds often inhabiting 

 a salt marsh, which they prefer to meadows in winter, on 

 account of their remaining open. They sleep at night in the 

 long salt grass huddled together, and when disturbed rise in a 

 body and fly wildly about. 



(176) 506. Icterus spurius (Linn.). Orchard Oriole. 

 — A rare summer resident, perhaps increasing in numbers. 

 Nests have been found at Warwick Neck, Barrington, Newport 

 and elsewhere. They were undoubtedly more common in past 

 years, they certainly were so at Bristol. Mr. J. S. Rowland 

 records their arrival at Newport from May 14 to 19, in 1876, as 

 if they were somewhat regular and common in their occurrence.^ 



May 14 to (July). 



(177) 507. Icterus galbula (Linn.). Baltimore Oriole. 

 Firebird. — A common summer resident.* 



May 4 to August 28. , 



(178) 509. Scolecophagus carolinus (Mtill.). Rusty 

 Grackle. — A not uncommon migrant, though perhaps less so 

 than in Massachusetts. 



March 13 to June 5. (September) to October 23. 



(179) 511. Quiscalus quiscula (Linn.) . Purple Grackle. 

 Crow Blackbird. — A common summer resident in the southern 

 portions of the State. A series of specimens taken at Middle- 

 town, Newport and Bristol were typical quiscula with but few 

 intermediates between the two races. • Specimens from Provi- 

 dence, beside a few intermediates, and one from North Smithfield 

 were typical aneus. This State therefore seems to be on the 

 border line between the two races. f 



1 F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p, 266. 

 * F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266. 

 t F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 9, p. 165. 

 Nid., Vol. II, No. 12, p. 170. 



