ii8 
SINGING BIRDS. 
of winter, numerous flocks, after foraging through the day, return 
from considerable distances to their general roosts among the 
reeds. On approaching their station, each detachment, as it 
arrives, in straggling groups like crows, sweeps round the marsh 
in waving flight, forming circles ; amidst these bodies, the note 
of the old reconnoitring leader may be heard, and no sooner 
has he fixed upon the intended spot than they all descend and 
take their stations in an instant. At this time they are also 
frequently accompanied by the Ferruginous species, with which 
they associate in a friendly manner. 
The Blackbird is easily tamed, sings in confinement, and 
may be taught to articulate some few words pretty distinctly. 
Among the variety of its natural notes, the peculiarly affected 
sibilation of the Starling is heard in the wdtiitshee, wotfitshee, 
and whistle, which often accompanies this note. 
In Nuttall’s day variety making had not come in fashion, and 
the systematists were content to treat the Crow Blackbirds of east- 
ern North America as of one form. Now we have three forms, 
with three “distinctive scientific appellations.’’ It is somewhat 
difficult to distinguish these forms, except in extreme phases of 
plumage, for many specimens of tlie Northern variety have the 
diagnostic characters of the Southern birds. The present race is 
said to occur only on “ the Atlantic coast of the United States, 
north to Massachusetts and west to eastern Tennessee.” 
The Rkoxze Gkackle {Q. qmscula aneus) lacks the purple 
metallic tint on the body, that being replaced by a tint of bronze ; 
the purple and blue tints are restricted to the head and neck. The 
wings and tail are purple. This form is abundant throughout the 
New England States and Canada, and ranges nortli to Hudson s 
Bay and west to the Great Plains. I have seen nests of these 
birds placed on the beams of barns in New Brunswick. The 
farmers along the St. John and Kenebecasis rivers erect barns on 
the manshy islands and “ intervales ” to store their hay until it can 
be carried to the mainland on the ice; and the.se barns, being un- 
used during the breeding season, offer excellent building sites for 
colonies of Crow Blackbirds and Swallows. The nests are fastened 
to the beams with mud in much the same method as that adopted 
by Robins, 
A smaller race with a larger tail is restricted to .southern Florida. 
It is named the Florida GrackleIQ. guiscula aglcsus). 
