460 



BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE. 



Gracula Barita. G. purpureo-nigricans cauda supra concam, 

 Parple-blackish Grakle, with the tail concave above. 

 Gracula Barita. G. subgriseaj humeris cceruleisj remigibus extus 



mridibus. Lin. Syst. Nat. 

 Monedula tota nigra. Sloan. Jam. 

 Boat-Tailed Grakle. Penn. Arct. Zool. Lath, syn. 



This species inhabits the greater Antilles and 

 the warmer parts of North America, where it 

 associates with the immediately preced ing species, 

 and with the Red-Winged Orioles, feeding on 

 maize, insects, &c. Its size is that of a Cuckow, 

 and its length about thirteen inches: its colour 

 totally black with a gloss of purple and green on 

 the upper parts. It is distinguished by a remark- 

 able particularity in the structure of the tail, which 

 is deeply concave above, somewhat resembling 

 the appearance of a boat, or, as Mr. Latham ob- 

 serves, the tail of a hen inverted. When the bird 

 is on the ground it is always observed to carry its 

 tail expanded, but when flying, or perched, folds 

 it up in the manner above described. In North 

 America it is observed to breed in swamps, and to 

 migrate in September, after which time none are 

 seen. 



