GENUS 16. GRACULA. GRAKLE. 
SPECIES 1. GRACULA FERRUGINEA. 
RUSTY GRAKLE.* 
[Plate XXL — Fig. 3.] 
Black Oriole, Srct. Zool. p. 259, No. 144. — Rusty Oriole, Ibid, 
p. 260, No. 146. — New York Thrush, Ibid. p. 339, No. 205. — 
Hudsonian Thrush, Ibid. No. 234, female. — Labrador Thrush, 
Ibid. p. 340, No. 206. — Peai.e’s .Museum, No. 5514. 
Here is a single species described by one of the most judi- 
cious naturalists of Great Britain no less than five different times ! 
The greater part of these descriptions is copied by succeeding 
naturalists, whose synonymes 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 Red-wings, and Cow-pen Buntings, 
frequents corn fields, 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 
* The Genus Gracula, as at present restricted, consists of only a single spe- 
cies; the others formerly included in it have been distributed in other genera. 
The two species described by Wilson belong' to the genus Icterus as adopted 
by Temininck. 
