BREWER’S BLACKBIRD. 
229 
and longing for a farther removal northward. On the ground their gait is 
easy and brisk, and I never heard them sing, but simply emit a cluck not 
unlike that of the Common Red-winged Starling, between which and Quis- 
calus ferrugineus I would place them. Their bill is not so stout as that of 
the former, but more so than that of the latter. The shape of the wings and 
tail of this species differ materially from those of the Rusty G-rackle ; the 
first by its being longer, sharper, and having the first quill longest, and the 
tail being much more rounded. In the general colour those two species 
might agree better ; but in the Q. Brewerii, the metallic resplendence is uni- 
formly more brilliant, purple and blue, instead of being steel blue and 
green ; it never shows the brownish edges of the feathers that are regu- 
larly attendant on those of the Rusty Grackle. 
I think it almost superfluous to add that I have named this species after 
my friend Thomas M. Brewer, Esq. ; having so often mentioned his 
name when he was actively engaged in the study of ornithology, and my 
works containing numerous evidences of the assistance he has rendered both 
to science and to myself. 
Brewer’s Blackbird, Quiscalus Brewerii , Aud. 
10 , 1 Qb 
Found on the Upper Missouri river, and Yellow Stone, &c. 
The old male measures from the point of the bill to end of tail 10 inches ; 
alar extent 161 5 wing from flexure 51 ; bill along the ridge I, along the gap 
1. The first quill is decidedly the longest, the second and third shorter, and 
the rest rapidly decreasing. The bill and feet black, irides pale yellow. 
Tarsus 11 ; hind toe -J, its claw f ; middle toe 3, its claw t . 
The general colour is deep glossy black, with rich purple reflections on 
the head, cheeks and lower sides of the neck ; after which the reflections are 
first blue, and afterwards green. The lower parts are slightly glossed with 
green. Tail 4 inches. 
The female is somewhat smaller and duller in all its tints. Bill to end 
of tail 91 inches ; wing from flexure 4 f. 
