LIST AND DESCRIPTION 109 



of the Baltimore Oriole in our State. It is paler than the Balti- 

 more, the male nearly resembling the female Baltimore, while 

 his own female is dull gray with very little yellow showing. It 

 prefers to nest in tall Cottonwood trees, and its basket is not so 

 bulky as that of its eastern cousin. It weaves hair from the tails 

 of horses and cattle into its nest instead of strings or yarn, pos- 

 sibly because these are more available in ranching regions. 



509. Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus.) 



Nests north of us, hence may be looked for only in migra- 

 tion. About the size of the Redwing, but in color the male is 

 greenish black with rusty markings. The female is grayish, with 

 some rusty above and streaked with black below. 



Both sexes may be recognized by a whitish line over the 

 eyes. 



510. Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus.) 



A western species, but frequently seen in migration in 

 South Dakota. Slightly larger than the preceding and dis- 

 tinguished from it by its violet purple head and uniform black 

 body. 



511b. Bronzed Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula aeneus.) 



This is the largest Blackbird in the State, and the one that 

 comes familiarly about our homes. They are quite unafraid on 

 our lawns, and walk in stately fashion, swinging their long tails 

 from side to side. They sometimes become unpleasantly numer- 

 ous and crowd other birds out, especially if a good nesting grove 

 is near. 



Head and neck steel blue; back and under parts bronze; 

 wings and tail purple. The tail of the old birds is often V-shaped 

 when flying. Nests in shade trees, often several in the same 

 tree. 



FAMILY FRINGILLID^. FINCHES, GROSBEAKS AND 



SPARROWS 



The Finch family is the largest of our bird families, num- 

 bering nearly 600 species, over ninety of which are in North 

 America. They are seed eating birds and have strong bills for 

 crushing their food. The family comprises the Finches proper, 



