212 THE BIRDS 
especially during the fall migration. While a great 
number remain throughout the entire winter, like those 
of the following species, the majority return from further 
south the last week in March. By April 26th most of 
the nests are finished, and many have their complement 
of eges. Four to five is a complete set, the ground color, 
like the following species, varving from grayish-white to 
light brownish, spotted, specked, blotched and streaked 
with brown and black. Size, 1.10x.80. A series shows a 
decided variation as to size, shape, color, and markings. 
They rear but one brood a season, and by October 15th 
have flocked and commenced their fall migration. Their 
vast numbers destroy much grain during the winter 
months, thus bringing them under the injurious species, 
and exempt from any protection; but they eat many of 
the injurious weed seeds, insects, grubs and heetles, and 
are thus highly beneficial, especially during the breeding 
season. Some writers have laid to their record the bad 
habit of eating small birds’ eggs, but in our section I have 
never come across such an occurrence. 
GENUS MEGAQUISCALUS. 
[513]. Megaquiscalus major major (Vieillot). Boat- 
tailed Grachle. 
[Jack Daw]. 
Raner.—Austroriparian zone of the South Atlantic 
and Gulf States from Accomac County, Virginia, to 
Florida, and west to the eastern coast of Texas. 
Although the 1910 A. O. U. check list gives their 
northern breeding range as “Chesapeake Bay,” these 
