Conspicuously Black 



The Bronzed Crackle {Quiscalus quiscula ceneus) differs from 

 the preceding chiefly in the more brownish bronze tint of its 

 plumage and its lack of iridescent bars. Its range is more west- 

 erly, and in the southwest it is particularly common ; but as a 

 summer resident it finds its way to New England in large num- 

 bers. The call-note is louder and more metallic than the purple 

 grackle's. In nearly all respects the habits of these two birds are 

 identical. 



Rusty Blackbird 



( Scolecophagus carolinus) Blackbird family 



Called also : THRUSH BLACKBIRD ; RUSTY CRACKLE ; 

 RUSTY ORIOLE ; RUSTY CROW ; BLACKBIRD 



Length— () to 9.55 inches. A trifle smaller than the robin. 



Male — In full plumage, glossy black with metallic reflections, 



intermixed with rusty brown that becomes more pronounced 



as the season advances. Pale straw-colored eyes. 

 Female — Duller plumage and more rusty, inclining to gray. 



Light line over eye. Smaller than male. 

 Range — North America, from Newfoundland to Gulf of Mexico 



and westward to the Plains. 

 Migrations — April. November. A few winter north. 



A more sociable bird than the grackle, though it travel in 

 smaller flocks, the rusty blackbird condescends to mingle freely 

 with other feathered friends in marshes and by brooksides. You 

 can identify it by its rusty feathers and pale yellow eye, and 

 easily distinguish the rusty-gray female from the female redwing 

 that is conspicuously streaked. 



In April flocks of these birds may frequently be seen along 

 sluggish, secluded streams in the woods, feeding upon the seeds 

 of various water or brookside plants, and probably upon insects 

 also. At such times they often indulge in a curious spluttering, 

 squeaking, musical concert that one listens to with pleasure. 

 The breeding range is mostly north of the United States. But 

 little seems to be known of the birds' habits in their northern 

 home. 



Why it should ever have been called a thrush blackbird is one 

 of those inscrutable mysteries peculiar to the naming of birds 



46 



