176 



Dakota dates, but not particularly early when compared with the dates 

 from the region close to the Mississippi — it might be inferred, that, in 

 many species at least, the line of migration is from central Minnesota 

 north and a little westward to the valley of the Eed Eiver, but not 

 across it, and that they follow this valley, reaching Manitoba in advance 

 of those that have come by way of the Plains or the valley of the Mis- 

 souri Eiver. 



The bulk of Purple Grackles arrived at about latitude 40° previous 

 to March 19, most of the advance occurring on the 12th and 13th, Dur- 

 ing the rest of the month, before the advance was stopped by the snow, 

 the species occupied two more degrees of latitude (to 42°), and by the 

 secoud week in April it had reached latitude 45°. March 22 was a 

 special day for the movement of bulk, which may account for the great 

 number of firsts recorded March 23 and March 24, 



In the fall of 1884 the bulk of Bronzed Grackles left Elk Eiver, Minn., 

 November 1, and the last was seen November 3 ; the bulk left Des 

 Moines, Iowa, November 8, and the last was seen November 10. At 

 Mount Oarmel, Mo., they were present iu large flocks (100 to 200) for the 

 first three days of August; they disappeared after August 15 ; re-ap- 

 peared in flocks September 14 ; and five or six were seen December 5. 



In the winter of 1884-'8o a few Grackles remained north of their 

 usual winter range. One was seen all winter at Hennepin, 111,; and 

 at Paris, 111., a female remained through all the cold season, feeding at 

 a spring near the house of Mr. Balmer. At Mount Carmei, Mo., one 

 was seen February 4, which had probably wintered near there, since 

 no more were seen for a month. In study iug the notes on the migra- 

 tion of this species many difficulties are encountered. Two distinct sets 

 of notes were contributed from the region between latitude 38° and 

 latitude 44°. As they do not harmonize any better by supposing that 

 the Eusty Grackle had been confounded with the Bronzed in the east, 

 or the Brewer's mistaken for it in the west, we can but give the two 

 sets and let each reader draw his own inferences. The Bronzed Grackle, 

 under the various names of Purple Grackle, Crow Blackbird, and a 

 variety of Latin names, was reported as having been seen at Mount 

 Carre el, Mo., March 2 ; Fayette, Mo., March 6; Glasgow, Mo., March 

 10; Grinnell, Iowa, March 9 ; Knoxville, Iowa, March 10; Unadilla, 

 Nebr. } March 11 ; Lin wood, Nebr., March 10 ; Bonham, Tex., March 

 6; Gainesville, Tex., March 14; and Emporia, Kans., March 23. 

 East of the Mississippi it was seen at Canton, Miss., February 24; 

 Shawneetown, 111., March 3 ; Paris, 111., March 5 ; Aledo, 111., March 

 6; Hennepin, 111., March 13; Fernwood, 111., March 14; Clinton, Wis., 

 March 27 ; Lake City, Minn., March 26 ; New Eichmond and Luck, Wis., 

 April 3. Then, going right over the same ground again, we have a 

 second series of notes. At Saint Louis, Mo., a few scattered Grackles 

 were seen March 27 ; they were the first seen. Eegular migration set 

 In at 5 p. m. } March 29, The same date the first was seen at Peoria, Ill ? 



