RUSTY GRAKLE. 



33* 



naturalists, whose synonyms it is unnecessary to repeat ; so 

 great is the uncertainty in judging, from a mere examination 

 of their dried or stuffed skins, of the particular tribes of birds, 

 many of which, for several years, are constantly varying in the 

 colours of their plumage, and, at different seasons or different 

 ages, assuming new and very different appearances. Even the 

 size is by no means a safe criterion, the difference in this respect 

 between the male and female of the same species (as in the one 

 now before us) being sometimes very considerable. 



This bird arrives in Pennsylvania from the north early in 

 October, associates with the redwings and cowpen buntings, 

 frequents cornfields and. places where grasshoppers are plenty ; 

 but Indian-corn, at that season, seems to be its principal food. 

 It is a very silent bird, having only now and then a single note 

 or chuck. We see them occasionally until about the middle 

 of November, when they move off to the south. On the 12th 

 of January, I overtook great numbers of these birds in the 

 woods near Petersburgh, Virginia, and continued to see occa- 

 sional parties of them almost every day as I advanced southerly, 

 particularly in South Carolina, around the rice plantations, 

 where they were numerous, feeding about the hogpens, and 

 wherever Indian-corn was to be procured. They also extend 

 to a considerable distance westward. On the 5th of March, 

 being on the banks of the Ohio, a few miles below the mouth 

 of the Kentucky river, in the midst of a heavy snowstorm, a 

 flock of these birds alighted near the door of the cabin where 

 I had taken shelter, several of which I shot, and found their 

 stomachs, as usual, crammed with Indian-corn. Early in 

 April they pass hastily through Pennsylvania, on their return 

 to the north to breed. 



From the accounts of persons who have resided near Hud- 

 son's Bay, it appears that these birds arrive there in the begin- 

 ning of June, as soon as the ground is thawed sufficiently for 

 them to procure their food, which is said to be worms and 

 maggots ; sing with a fine note till the time of incubation, 

 when they have only a chucking noise, till the young take 



