12 
Conservation Bulletin 18 
damage is often serious no one will deny. It is noticeable, however, that the 
earliest varieties are the ones most affected; also, that in large orchards the 
damage is not perceptible, while in small plantations the whole crop is fre¬ 
quently destroyed. 
THE CRACKLES 
The crow blackbird or grackle 36 (fig. 11) in one or more of its subspecies is a 
familiar object in all the States east of the Rocky Mountains. Throughout 
the year it is resident as far north as southern Illinois, and in summer extends 
its range into the Canadian Provinces. In the Mississippi Valley it is one of 
the most abundant of birds, preferring to nest in the artificial groves and 
windbreaks near farms instead of in the natural “ timber ” which it formerly 
used. It breeds also in parks and near buildings, often in considerable colonies. 
Farther east, in New England, it is only locally abundant, though frequently 
seen in migration. In the latter days of August and throughout September it 
is found in immense numbers before moving southward. 
The grackle is accused of many sins, such as stealing grain and fruit and 
robbing the nests of other birds. An examination of 2,346 stomachs shows 
that nearly one-third of its food consists of insects, most of which are injurious. 
The bird also eats a few snails, crawfishes, salamanders, small fish, and occa¬ 
sionally a mouse. The stomach contents do not indicate that it robs other 
birds’ nests to any great extent, as 
remains of birds and birds’ eggs 
amount to less than half of 1 
per cent. 
It is on account of its vegetable 
food that the grackle most deserves 
condemnation. Grain is eaten dur¬ 
ing the whole year, and only for 
a short time in summer is other 
food attractive enough to induce 
the bird to alter its diet. The 
grain taken in winter and spring 
probably consists of waste kernels 
from stubble. The stomachs do not 
indicate that the bird pulls sprout¬ 
ing grain; but the wheat eaten in 
July and August and the com eaten 
in the fall are probably from fields 
of standing grain. The total 
amount of grain consumed during 
the year constitutes 45 per cent of the food, but it is safe to say that at least 
half is waste grain and consequently of no value. Although the crow black¬ 
bird eats a few cherries and blackberries in their season, and in the fall some 
wild fruit, it apparently does no damage in this way. 
Large flocks of grackles no doubt do considerable injury to grain crops, and 
there seems to be no remedy, except the destruction of the birds, which is in 
itself expensive. During the breeding season, however, the species does much 
good by eating insects and by feeding them to its young, which are reared 
almost entirely upon this food. The bird does the greatest amount of good in 
spring, when it follows the plow in search of large grubworms, of which it is 
so fond that it sometimes literally crams its stomach full of them. 
BREWER BLACKBIRD 
The Brewer blackbird 37 takes the place in the Western States of the grackle, 
or crow blackbird, which lives in the Mississippi Valley and farther east and is 
very similar in appearance and habits. It breeds east to the Great Plains and 
north into Canada, and winters over most of its breeding range in the United 
States and south to Guatemala. At home in fields, meadows, and orchards, and 
about ranch buildings and cultivated lands generally, it nests in bushes and 
weeds, sometimes in trees, and is very gregarious, especially about barnyards 
and corrals. The bird feeds freely in stockyards and in cultivated fields, and 
when fruit is ripe does not hesitate to take a share. During the cherry season 
Fig. 11.-—Purple grackle. Length, about 12 
inches. 
30 Quiscalus quisoula. 
37 Euphagus oyanooephalus . 
