PURPLE GRAKLE. Q\ 



that only a few remained in the end. The Grakles thus mangled, killed and 

 partially devoured several Cardinal Grosbeaks, Doves, Pigeons, and Blue 

 Jays. I look upon this remarkable instance of ferocity in the Grakle with 

 the more amazement, as I never observed it killing any bird when in a state 

 of freedom. 



What I have said respecting the Purple Grakle (which by some is impro- 

 perly named the Boat-tailed Grakle) refers particularly to the habits of those 

 in the south, where some of them are found at all seasons. I shall now 

 speak of those of the Western and Middle States. Most of these birds leave 

 the south about the middle of February, setting out in small detached flocks. 

 They reach the State of New York in this straggling manner about the 

 middle of May. Their migratory flight is performed in short undulating 

 lines, resembling small segments of very large circles. It may be explained 

 in this manner. Supposing the bird poised in the air and intent on moving 

 forwards, it propels itself by a strenuous flap of the wings, which carries it 

 forward in a curve, along which it ascends until it attains the level of its 

 original point of departure, when it flaps its wings again, and performs 

 another curve. In this form of flight they pursue their long journey, during 

 which they keep up a continual low chattering, as if they were discussing 

 some important question. When the}' reach Pennsylvania, they commence 

 the avocations which I have already described, and are seen following the 

 plough, while their kindred that have been left in Louisiana are probably by 

 this time feeding their young, as the difference of climate between these 

 latitudes leaves the northern states a month later in their seasons than the 

 southern. 



In the Northern States these birds construct their nests in a much more 

 perfect, and therefore more natural manner. A pine tree, whenever it occurs 

 in a convenient place, is selected by preference, its dense foliage and hori- 

 zontal branches being well adapted for nidification. There the Grakle forms 

 a nest, which from the ground might easily be mistaken for that of our 

 Robin, the Turdus migratorius, were it less bulky. But it is much larger, 

 and instead of being placed by itself, is associated with others, often to the 

 number of a dozen or more, on the horizontal arms of the pine, forming tier 

 above tier, from the lowest to the highest branches. The centre of the nest 

 is what I would call saddled on the bough, the materials being laid so that 

 the nest is thinner in its middle part and thicker at the two opposite sides, 

 so as to have a firm hold. It is about six inches in diameter outside, and 

 four inches within, the depth being the same, and is composed of grass, 

 slender roots and mud, lined with hair and finer grasses. I had a white 

 pine-tree in one of my fields on Mill Grove Farm, on which many of these 

 birds bred every spring, when some mischievous lads frequently amused 

 themselves with beating down the nests with long fishing-rods, to my great 



