RUSTY GRAKLE. 
225 
even in the cage ; legs, a brownish flesh colour; hind 
heel, very long ; bill, a bluish horn colour ; eye, hazel. 
In the month of June this plumage gradually changes 
to a brownish yellow, like that of the female, which 
has the back streaked with brownish black; whole 
lower parts, dull yellow ; bill, reddish flesh colour ; legs 
and eyes as in the male. The young birds retain the 
dress of the female until the early part of the succeed- 
ing spring; the plumage of the female undergoes no 
material change of colour. 
GENUS X._ QUISCALUS, Vieill. 
56 . QUISCALUS FERRUGINEUS , BONAPARTE. 
GRACULA FERRUGINEA , WILS. 
RUSTY GRAKLE. 
WILSON, PLATE XXI. FIG. III. ADULT MALE IN SPRING. 
Here is a single species described by one of the 
most judicious naturalists of Great Britain no less than 
flve different times! — the greater part of these des- 
criptions is copied by succeeding naturalists, whose 
synonymes it is unnecessary to repeat : so great is the 
uncertainty in judging, from a mere examination of 
their dried or stuffed skins, of the particular tribes of 
birds, many of which, for several years, are constantly 
varying in the colours of their plumage, and, at different 
seasons, or different ages, assuming new and very dif- 
ferent appearances. Even the size is by no means a 
safe criterion, the difference in this respect between 
the male and female of the same species (as in the one 
now before us) being sometimes very considerable. 
This bird arrives in Pennsylvania, from the north 
early in October; associates with the redwings, and, 
cow-pen buntings, frequents corn fields, and places 
where grasshoppers are plenty ; but Indian corn, at 
that season, seems to be its principal food. It is a very 
silent bird, having only now and then a single note, or 
chuck . We see them occasionally until about the 
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