ANALECTA ORNITHOLOGICA. 
Fourth Series. 
BY LEONHARD STEJNEGER. 
XVII. On the Origin of the Word Quiscalus. 
The words Quiscalus of Vieillot and quiscula of Linnasus* 
seem to have perplexed ‘ornithophilologists’ considerably, and 
Professor Newton says that he has not been able to trace the latter 
further back than to Linnaeus’s 10th edition {cf. Coues’s second 
Check-list, p. 64, where he enlarges upon the subject). The 
word Quiscula is, however, to be found as early as the middle of 
the 1 6th century, for Gesner gives among the names of the Quail 
( Coturnix coturnix ) “ Qualea & Quiscula Recentioribus” 
and I atei Rzaczynski in his ‘Historia Naturalis curiosa Regni 
Poloniae, etc. (1721, p.376), names it “ Coturnix seu Quiscula , 
Quisquila. J he word is probably an onomatopoieticon, and 
the different names Quail, Quatla, Quaglia, Caille, Cuaderviz, 
Quackel have perhaps a kindred origin. I also find quoted as 
late Latin “ quaquila , quaquiliu , qualia and qualea while 
‘ calha and ‘ quisquila ’ are given as Portugese vernaculars of the 
Quail; and Ph. Statius Muller (S. N., II, 1773, p. 196) says: 
Dei Linnasische Name Quiscula Ivonnte eine Wachtel be- 
deuten.” The Mexican origin, as suggested by some {cf. Auk, 
i 8 § 4 ) P- 57 ) : seems not probable in view of the above. * 
Auk » 2 , Jan. , 1886 . p. V 3 - */*/. 
* Both combined in the terms Quiscalus quiscula (Lin.), Quiscalus quiscula aglceus 
(Baird), and Quiscalus quiscula ceneus (Ridgw.) for the Purple Crackles (Ridgw. 
Nomencl., Nos. 278, 278 a, and 278 6 ). 
s is — 
1062. The Common Crow Blackbird— Purple Grackle. Quiscalus p ur - 
pureus (Bartr.). By B. Harry Warren, M.D. Ibid., 1882 (18S4) pp. 
2:4-217. — On its habits and food. But. r _ 
■ p,d “ ref "- 
<’> Crow 
reus). (Ibid., pp. 216, 217.) P * (f utscalu s purpu- 
ISS W — b B - H - Di«™irfeap 5 ciou. Birds. (Agricult, of Penn., 
1S8 3 1884) PP . 96-1:2.) (2) The Common Crow Blackbird- Purple 
Grackle. (Ibid., pp. 214-217.) (3) Blackbirds’ Food. (Ibid., :8S ? (18S6) 
PP- 157 - 159 -)^ ( 4 ) Birds’ Food. (Ibid., pp. 150-156.) 
The Oologist. l S 7 l - A Popular Nest. By C.' A. Babcock T Ibid nn „ 
same nest used successively by a Grackle „ VT 
79 °- Does the Crow Blackbird eat Crayfish ? By Clarence M. Weed. 
Ibid., p. 832. — Part of a crayfish was found in the stomach of a young 
Crow Blac kbird. ( See on this subject, anted , Nos. 478 and 480.) 
A ■ mtnr aUst * 'XVlll 
526. Crow Blackbird. By Bverett omim. mill., p. ^uy. 1 11c 
Boat-tailed Grackle not yet taken in Canada. (See anted, No. 524.) On 
page 208 W. E. Saunders and W. W. Dunlop, under the same caption, 
write to the same effect. 'Ossa. Spoirto ^Naturalist 
480. Does the Crow Blackbird Eat Crayfish } By Charles Aldrich. 
Ibtd., XVI, pp. 57, 58. — The question answered affirmatively. (See above, 
No. 478.) Axaer. Naturalist* 
478. Does the Crow Blackbird eat Crayfish ? By F. E. L. Beal. 
Ibid., XV, pp. 904, 905. — Found to have swallowed “gastroliths, or stom- 
ach stones of the crayfish,” hence the question. Am or. Naturalist* 
” l6 _ Pu y le Grackle Near Philadelphia. By Ellwood C. Erdis 
ibid., °ct. 8, P . 2CJ . For, & atreaci, 2. AY 
,yo 6 . Purple Grackle (Quiscalus Purpureus). Editorial. Ibid., p. 144. VOlt * 
/2 
