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The Purple Grackle and the Robin 
Laying in the Same Nest. 
On May 12, 1888, I took a set of four eggs 
from what I supposed to be a Purple Grackle’ s 
( Quiscalus purpureus) nest, but upon examining 
the eggs I found two of them to be Robin’s 
(Merida migratoria ), and two Grackle’ s. I 
had frequently seen the Robins and Grackle 
fighting, and knew the former had a nest 
in the tree, but thought it was in another 
part. 
In other years they have both nested to- 
gether in the same tree, but I never before 
knew the Grackles to altogether displace the 
Robins. The nest, which, unfortunately, I did 
not save, was in a large pine tree close to our 
house. It looked as if it had been built by 
Robins and then completed by the Grackles to 
suit their taste. The bottom was made of 
mud, which Grackles do not use, while the 
top was made of twigs and roots which Robins 
do not use. Another thing which would indi- 
cate that the Grackles drove the Robins away 
was the fact that the Robin’s eggs were con- 
siderably incubated, while the Grackle’ s were 
nearly fresh. With all their well-known mis- 
chievousness, I have never before heard of the 
Grackles being accused of usurping other 
birds’ nests. P. Z. TIomer. 
New Hamburg, Penn. 
O <fcO. XIV. June. 1889 p.88 
Variation in the Nesting Places of 
the Purple Grackle. 
In the New England States the typical nest- 
ing places of the Purple Grackle (Quiscalus 
purpureus) is among the thick evergreen trees, 
but occasionally in a few localities the nest is 
built like that of the Redwing, in low bushes 
over or near water. 
A third instance of its nesting differently 
from the usual manner came to my notice at 
Newburyport, Mass., on May 16, 1889. This 
time a pair of Grackles had chosen as a nest- 
ing site a cavity in a dead branch of a tall 
button-wood tree where they seemed to be per- 
fectly contented, although a number of then- 
kind were nesting in the typical manner within 
fifteen rods. 
The variety mnus is, I believe, frequently 
found breeding in a like manner, but I am un- 
aware that the type is known to show similar 
traits here in New England. 
Harry Gordon White. 
Gloucester, Mass. 
O &0. XIV. Sept. 1889 p.139 
Birds Tioga Co, N.Y. Aide* Coring. 
278. Purple Grackle or Crow Blackbird, 
j Common. Arrives in large flocks about the 
middle of March. About the last of April 
nest building commences. This is placed in a 
pine or evergreen tree. It is rudely composed 
1 of dried grass, strings and rags, and is lined 
with fine roots. The dimensions of the nest 
are 3 3-4 in. wide and 3 3-4 deep. The eggs, 
usually four or five in number, are of a light 
blue color spotted and scrawled with dark 
j brown and obscure lines and spots of different 
shades of brown. As the first week in October 
draws near these birds congregate in immense 
flocks and leave for the south, sometimes in 
in company with Redwing Blackbirds. 
0,&0, XV, June, 13110, P- 84 
<? 
