68 
BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
Scolecophag-us carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. 509. 
The Rusty Blackbird is an abundant and regular migrant. The 
following extreme dates from my records give an idea of its move- 
ments in this locality. Spring, iirst seen, March 13 ; last seen. 
May 2. Fall, first seen, September 29; last seen, October 16. The 
spring passage often lags, and it is not uncommon for a flock to 
remain in one locality a week or two, but in autumn they show less 
inclination to linger. 
Quiscalus quiscula SBneus. Bronzed Crackle. 511b. 
Although this blackbird is locally common in this state, this does 
not happen to be one of the localities in which it breeds. I have seen 
it here at Durham only when migrating. It is often found in com- 
pany with other blackbirds, but always in less numbers than either of 
the other three species. The earliest date that I have observed it is 
March 12, and the latest October 26, although Mr. Shaw reports 
an exceptional case where one stayed about the cornfields of Hamp- 
ton till the middle of January, in spite of the fact that there was more 
or less snov/ on the ground-for some time before his departure. This 
species is as omnivorous as the Crov,-, devouring insects, seeds, grain, 
or table refuse, with equal avidity. This grackle cultivates the society 
of man, frequently building its nest in villages when there are ever- 
green trees suitable for that purpose. 
Family FRINGILLID/E. 
Coccothraustes vespertinus. Evening Grosbeak. 514. 
The college collection contains a pair of Evening Grosbeaks secured 
from a flock of sixteen, by Mr. Shute at Newmarket, in 1890. The 
ordinary range of this species lies v/est of the Mississippi, and its 
occurrence here is wholly exceptional. 
Pinicoia enucleator. Pink Grosbeak, 515. 
The Pine Grosbeak is a regular winter visitant, but its numbers vary 
greatly from year to year. Some seasons they are abundant from 
November until April, and again, not more than two or three can be 
found in a whole winter. While here they feed on seeds of such trees 
as the white ash and basswood, on buds of various trees and on apples. 
The proportion of adult males, known by their red color, is small, the 
great majority being females or young males. They are gentle, unsus- 
pecting birds, and readily come to the orchard and ornamental trees 
and even closely about the house. 
