BIRDS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 313 
in spring and fall, and is not of much economic value here ; 
therefore, its description is omitted. The other species of 
the family will be considered here, for they all frequent 
meadows, grass fields, or cultivated lands. 
The Bronzed Grackle and the Purple Grackle are both 
found in the State, but, as they are alike in form, notes, and 
habits, they are both known as Crow Blackbirds, and will 
not be treated separately. 
Purple Grackle. Crow Blackbird. 
Quiscalus quiscula. 
Length. — Twelve to thirteen and one-half inches. 
Adult Male. —Variously purple, green, blue, violet, and bronzy; wings and tail 
mainly purplish; dark purplish or steel-blue on neck and breast; back 
greenish or bronzy ; iris straw-yellow. 
Adult Female.— Similar, but browner. 
Nest. —A bulky structure, often built in tall coniferous trees. 
Eggs. — Greenish, spotted and streaked with black and brown. 
Season.— March to November. (This form intermingles with the succeeding 
one.) 
Bronzed Grackle. Western Crow Blackbird. 
Quiscalus quiscula eneus. 
Adult Male. — Similar to above, but body brassy or bronzy; head, neck, and 
upper breast mainly steel-blue; wings and tail violet and steel-blue. 
Adult Female.— Similar to that of the Purple Grackle. Both the above forms 
look black at a distance, and then are not distinguishable from one an- 
other; both forms have the tail long. 
Nest, Eggs, and Season. — Like those of the Purple Grackle; winters rarely. 
These birds, the largest of the family in Massachusetts, find 
their normal habitat about meadows or marshes ; but they 
have taken kindly to civilization, and, where they are not 
much persecuted, are common about lawns, fields, and gar- 
dens. They may often be seen walking about on Boston 
Common or in the Public Garden. They build their nests 
in tall shade trees near suburban and city residences or about 
cemeteries, and they frequent well-kept lawns. They are 
so large and powerful that not even the Sparrow can drive 
them out; and if the Sparrows attack their eggs or young, 
the Blackbirds are not slow to retaliate with effect. 
These birds are conspicuous, and when close at hand are 
unmistakable. The tail is often held with its outer feathers 
upturned like the sides of a boat, particularly when they fly, 
