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Carnivorous Propensities of the Crow Blackbird. — One sultry 
afternoon a few summers since I was writing at an open window when my 
attention was attracted — or rather distracted — by the clamor of a number 
of English Sparrows which were quarreling among the foliage immedi- 
ately below me. Happening to want a specimen, X selected an adult male 
and shot it. Scarcely had it struck the ground when a Crow Blackbird 
{Quiscalus fiurpureus czneus) pounced upon it from a linden above, and 
with a few well-directed strokes of its bill put an end to its struggles. At 
this juncture a Robin interfered but soon retreated before the Grackle’s 
menacing front. The latter next seized the Sparrow in its bill and flew 
off with it to the lawn, a few paces distant. Here it deliberately went to 
work to eat its victim. Holding it between one, or sometimes both, its 
feet, exactly as a Hawk would do, it broke open the skull and feasted on 
the brains. I was near enough so see that its bill was reeking with blood. 
After watching it awhile I walked directly towards it when it again took 
up its prize and tried to carry it into the tree above, but its strength 
proved insufficient and it was obliged to drop it. Upon examining the 
Sparrow I found that its brains had been cleanly scooped out and the 
eves as well as the throat devoured. Meanwhile the Grackle scolded me 
most emphatically for thus interfering and the moment my back was 
turned again descended and resumed its feast. 
Many of our native birds seem to have a standing grudge against this 
Blackbird and rarfely let pass an opportunity to pursue and harass it. It 
would seem that this hatred is not without just cause. — William Brews- 
ter, Cambridge , Mass. Bp II N, Q*Q» 8. July, 1881,p. 'FO-lSr! * 
belong to my grounds ; as 1 do not raise cereals, anu uctolc my - 
fruit culture, I regard these birds as the most valuable of their kind to me, 
and never have permitted them to be shot at or disturbed on my premises. 
Going down to my pond, as usual, in quest of Kingfishers, I happened to 
take notice of a Crow Blackbird in the act of striking quickly with its bill 
into the water at the edge of the bank. Wondering what it found there 
for food, I cautiously approached, sneaking behind the shelter of an ever- 
green and bed of flowering shrubs. This bird had struck a small goldfish 
as it came up to the water’s edge — struck it in the centre of its head with 
the sharp point of its bill. This blow only stunned the fish, but rendered 
it unable to dart away, although it could still squirm and wriggle ; the 
Blackbird was earnestly trying to land its prey by repeatedly striking 
the fish so as to get a beak hold, which it finally did after many failures. 
Catching sight of me, it at once flew away, leaving the writhing and mor- 
tally wounded victim upon the earth. The mystery ol that peculiar de- 
struction of my goldfish was thus solved. 
The habit of goldfish whereby they suck and bore at and into the grassy 
and mossy edges of a pond as they feed, renders them a comparatively 
shining mark for Quiscalus.— Henry W. Elliott, near Cleveland , Ohio. 
▲uk,TILA»rU,1800.p. XOft-ZO^. 
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