192 
OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 
GREAT CROW-BLACKBIRD. 
( Quiscalus major, Vieill. Bonap. Am. Orn. vol. i. p. 35. pi. 4. fig. 1. 
[male.] fig. 2. [female.] Philad. Museum, No. 1582, 1583.) 
Sp. Charact. Glossy -black ; tail wedge-shaped, reaching very 
far beyond the wings (nearly 5 inches) ; bony keel (of the upper 
mandible) small; length 16 inches. — Female light brown, be- 
neath and eye-brows whitish : length 12J inches. 
This large and Crow-like species, sometimes called 
the Jackdaw, inhabits the southern parts of the Union 
only, particularly the states of Georgia and Florida, 
where they are seen as early as the close of January or 
beginning of February, but do not begin to pair before 
March, previously to which season the sexes are seen in 
separate flocks. But about the latter end of November, 
they quit even the mild climate of Florida, generally, and 
seek winter quarters probably in the West Indies, where 
they are known to be numerous, as well as in Mexico 
and Louisiana ; but they do not ever extend their north- 
ern migrations as far as the Middle States. Previous to 
their departure, at the approach of winter, they are seen 
to assemble in large flocks, and every morning flights of 
them, at a great height, are seen moving away to the 
south. 
Like most gregarious birds, they are of a very sociable 
disposition, and are frequently observed to mingle with 
the common Crow-Blackbirds. They assemble in great 
numbers among the sea-islands, and neighbouring marsh- 
es on the main land, where they feed at low water, on the 
oyster-beds and sand-flats. Like Crows, they are omniv- 
orous, their food consisting of insects, corn, and small 
grain, so that by turns they may be viewed as the friend 
or plunderer of the planter. 
