Wayne: Birds of South Carolina. 113 



a limb of some tree and with their wings make a loud rolling 

 sound. This peculiar noise is also frequently made while the 

 birds are flying. 



The food of the Boat-tailed Grackle in spring and early summer 

 consists of fiddlers and shrimp as well as small fish. But as soon 

 as the corn begins to ripen the birds resort to the corn fields, 

 where they commit great depredations. Fields which are planted 

 with oats in February must be constantly guarded by boys called 

 "bird minders." The eggs of the saltwater terrapin are de- 

 stroyed by this grackle, which is also a carnivorous species. 



FAMILY FRINGILLID^E: FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



195. Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.). Purple Finch. 



The Purple Finch is a regular winter and early spring visitant 

 from the north. A few birds sometimes arrive by the middle 

 of November, but they are never really abundant until the 30th 

 of the month. They inhabit only forests which are of a deciduous 

 growth and feed upon the seed of the sweet gum (Liquidamber 

 styraciflua), and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) during Nov- 

 ember, December, and a portion of January. The birds evidently 

 migrate to points to the southward of South Carolina during mid- 

 winter for few are to be seen until the ash (sp. ?) and red maple 

 (Acer rvJbrum) begin to flower about the middle of February, 

 when there is a distinct migration. On mild days in February 

 and March the males sing sweetly for many minutes. 



The Purple Finch feeds upon the stamens of the ash and red 

 maple in preference to any other deciduous trees. A few birds 

 remain until the middle of April, but the great majority migrate 

 in March. 



This species breeds from the Middle States northward to Hud- 

 son Bay. 



196. Passer domesticus (Linn.). House Sparrow; English 

 Sparrow. 



The English Sparrow made its appearance in Charleston either 

 in 1874 or 1875. About that time I noticed huge nests in the 

 elm trees on St. Philip street by the Orphan House. Whether the 

 birds were introduced or migrated into the city I am unable to say. 

 The next place where I observed nests was in Spring street, just 

 east of King, bordering the premises of Mr. Francis J. Pelzer. 



