366 
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 
and more glossy. Ad. $ and Im. 9 in winter. — Similar, but somewhat lighter, 
the upperparts widely tipped with rufous or rusty, the underparts similarly 
tipped with ochraceous- or cream -buff. L., 9*55; W., 4*61; T., 3*52; 
B., *80. 
Range. — E. and n. N. Am. Breeds in Boreal zone from the Kowak 
River, Alaska, n. Mackenzie, cen. Keewatin, and n. Ungava s. to s. Alaska, 
cen. Alberta, s. Keewatin, cen. Ont., N. Y., Vt., N. H., n. Maine, N. B., and 
N. S.; winters mainly s. of the Ohio and Delaware valleys to the Gulf coast; 
w. in migration to the Plains; casual in B. C., Mont., and Colo.; accidental 
in Calif., L. Calif., and Greenland. 
Washington, common W. V., Oct. 13-Apl. 30. Ossining, common T. V., 
Mch. 26-May 8; Sept. 28-Nov. 27. Cambridge, very common T. V., Mch. 
10-May 8; Sept. 15-Oct. 31. N. Ohio, common T. V., Mch. 5-May 10; 
Sept. 10-Nov. 15. Glen Ellyn, common T. V., Mch. 3-May 8; Sept. 12- 
Nov. 15; uncommon W. V. SE. Minn., common T. V., Mch. 26-Nov. 24. 
Nest, of twigs and coarse grasses lined with finer grasses, in coniferous 
trees or on the ground. Eggs, 4-7, grayish green to pale green, thickly 
blotched with light and dark brown and purple, 1*00 x *76 (Chamberlain). 
Date , Wilmurt, N. Y., May 7; Kings Co., N. S., May 11. 
This bird is found during the migrations in small flocks on fresh- 
water meadows or about open, bushy swamps, feeding on the ground 
in alder thickets or along the edges of swampy woods. It resembles, 
more or less, the Red- winged Blackbird in size, flight, and notes, but 
unlike this species, with which it sometimes associates, it is compara- 
tively quiet and retiring. Only at times, in the spring, do we find the 
flocks musical centers, whence issues a confused medley of whistles, 
sweeter and higher-pitched than the best efforts of the Redwings. 
Little is known of this Blackbird in its northern home. It gathers into 
flocks early in the summer, and the most frequently heard note is a 
cluck , not in the least characteristic. Its quiet demeanor, pale yellow 
eye, and uniform color are its chief distinguishing characters in the 
field, where it may be mistaken for the Bronzed or Purple Grackle. 
The gray female is unlike the streaked female Redwing. 
J. Dwight, Jr. 
Brewer’s Blackbird (510. Euphagus cyanocephalus ) inhabits western 
North America, and is of casual occurrence as far east as Illinois and 
Louisiana, and has been once recorded from South Carolina. It may be 
distinguished from E. carolinus by its deep violet-purple head and the com- 
parative absence of rusty tips to the feathers. 
511. Quiscalus quiscula quiscula (Linn.). Purple Grackle. (Fig. 
63c.) Ad. cf. — Head, neck, throat, and upper breast all around varying 
from brilliant metallic purple to bluish green or steel-blue; back and rump 
varying from bottle-green to metallic purple or shining brassy green, the 
feathers with iridescent bars; wings and tail externally metallic purple or 
bluish black; lower breast and belly resembling the back but duller. Ad. 9 . — 
Much duller than the male, but the feathers of the back generally show- 
ing at least traces of iridescence. & L., 12*00-13*50; W., 5*66; T., 5*18; 
B., 1*18. 
Remarks. — Intermediates between this and the Bronzed Grackle are 
found where their ranges adjoin, but typical quiscula always has iridescent 
bars on the feathers of the back, rump, and belly, while in ceneus these bars 
are wanting. (On relationships of this group see Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. 
Nat. Hist., IV, 1892, 1-20.) # . 
Range. — Middle Atlantic coast region of the U. S. Breeds in the Car- 
