e delights in describing circles as he easily soars high above the trees。 On the ground； he is seen to be a far larger bird than the largest crow。 The curious beard or fringe of feathers on his breast at once distinguishes him。
These birds show the family instinct for living in flocks large and small； not of ravens only； but of any birds of their own genera。 In the art of nest building they could instruct most of their relatives。 High up in evergreen trees or on the top of cliffs； never very near the seashore； they make a compact； symmetrical nest of sticks； neatly lined with grasses and wool from the sheep pastures； adding soft； comfortable linings to the old nest from year to year for each new brood。 When the young emerge from the eggs； which take many curious freaks of color and markings； they are pied black and white； suggesting the young of the western white…necked raven； a similarity which； so far as plumage is concerned； they quickly outgrow。 They early acquire the fortunate habit of eating whatever their parents set before them grubs； worms； grain； field…mice； anything； in fact； for the raven is a conspicuously omnivorous bird。
PURPLE GRACKLE （Quiscalus quiscula） Blackbird family
Called also： CROW BLACKBIRD； MAIZE THIEF； KEEL…TAILED GRACKLE； ＇COMMON GRACKLE； AOU 1998＇
Length 12 to 13 inches。 About one…fourth as large again as the robin。 Male Iridescent black； in which metallic violet； blue； copper； and green tints predominate。 The plumage of this grackle has iridescent bars。 Iris of eye bright yellow and conspicuous。 Tail longer than wings。 Female Less brilliant black than male； and smaller。 Range Gulf of Mexico to 57th parallel north latitude。 Migrations Permanent resident in Southern States。 Few are permanent throughout range。 Migrates in immense flocks in March and September。
This 〃refined crow〃 （which is really no crow at all except in appearance） has scarcely more friends than a thief is entitled to； for； although in many sections of the country it has given up its old habit of stealing Indian corn and substituted ravages upon the grasshoppers instead； it still indulges a crow…like instinct for pillaging nests and eating young birds。
Travelling in immense flocks of its own kind； a gregarious bird of the first order； it nevertheless is not the social fellow that its cousin； the red…winged blackbird； is。 It especially holds aloof from mankind； and mankind reciprocates its suspicion。
The tallest； densest evergreens are not too remote for it to build its home； according to Dr。 Abbott； though in other States than New Jersey； where he observed them； an old orchard often contains dozens of nests。 One peculiarity of the grackles is that their eggs vary so much in coloring and markings that different sets examined in the same groups of trees are often wholly unlike。 The average groundwork； however； is soiled blue or greenish； waved； streaked； or clouded with brown。 These are laid in a nest made of miscellaneous sticks and grasses； rather carefully constructed； and lined with mud。 Another peculiarity is the bird's method of steering itself by its tail when it wishes to turn its direction or alight。
Peering at you from the top of a dark pine tree with its staring yellow eye； the grackle is certainly uncanny。 There； very early in the spring； you may hear its cracked and wheezy whistle； for； being aware that however much it may look like a crow it belongs to another family； it makes a ridiculous attempt to sing。 When a number of grackles lift up their voices at once； some one has aptly likened the result to a 〃good wheel…barrow chorus！〃 The grackle's mate alone appreciates his efforts as； standing on tiptoe； with half…spread wings and tail； he pours forth his craven soul to her through a disjointed larynx。 With all their faults； and they are numerous； let it be recorded of both crows and grackles that they are as devoted lovers as turtle…doves。 Lowell characterizes them in these four lines：
〃Fust come the black birds； clatt'rin' in tall trees； And settlin' things in windy Congresses； Queer politicians； though； for I'll be skinned If all on 'em don't head against the wind。〃
The Bronzed Grackle （Quiscalus quiscula aeneus） differs from the preceding chiefly in the more brownish bronze tint of its plumage and its lack of iridescent bars。 Its range is more westerly； and in the southwest it is particularly common； but as a summer resident it finds its way to New England in large numbers。 The call…note is louder and more metallic than the purple grackle's。 In nearly all respects the habits of these two birds are identical。
RUSTY BLACKBIRD （Scolecophagus carolinus） Blackbird family
Called also： THRUSH BLACKBIRD； RUSTY GRACKLE； RUSTY ORIOLE； RUSTY CROW； BLACKBIRD
Length 9 to 9。55 inches。 A trifle smaller than the robin。 Male In full plumage； glossy black with metallic reflections； intermixed with rusty brown that becomes more pronounced as the season advances。 Pale straw…colored eyes。 Female Duller plumage and more rusty； inclining to gray。 Light line over eye。 Smaller than male。 Range North America； from Newfoundland to Gulf of Mexico and westward to the Plains。 Migrations April。 November。 A few winter north。
A more sociable bird than the grackle； though it travel in smaller flocks； the rusty blackbird condescends to mingle freely with other feathered friends in marshes and by brooksides。 You can identify it by its rusty feathers and pale yellow eye； and easily distinguish the rusty…gray female from the female redwing that is conspicuously streaked。
In April flocks of these birds may frequently be seen along sluggish； secluded streams in the woods； feeding upon the seeds of various water or brookside plants； and probably upon insects also。 At such times they often indulge in a curious spluttering； squeaking； musical concert that one listens to with pleasure。 The breeding range is mostly north of the United States。 But little seems to be known of the birds' habits in their northern home。
Why it should ever have been called a thrush blackbird is one of those inscrutable mysteries peculiar to the naming of birds which are so frequently called precisely what they are not。 In spite of the compliment implied in associating the name of one of our finest songsters with it； the rusty blackbird has a clucking call as unmusical as it is infrequent； and only very rarely in the spring does it pipe a note that even suggests the sweetness of the redwing's。
RED…WINGED BLACKBIRD
（Agelaius Phamiceus） Blackbird family
Called also。 SWAMP BLACKBIRD； RED…WINGED ORIOLE； RED…WINGED STARLING
Length Exceptionally variable7。50 to 9。80 inches。 Usually about an inch smaller than the robin。 Male Coal…black。 Shoulders scarlet； edged with yellow。 Female Feathers finely and inconspicuously speckled with brown； rusty black； whitish； and orange。 Upper wing…coverts black； tipped with white； or rufous and sometimes spotted with black and red。 Range North America。 Breeds from Texas to Columbia River； and throughout the United States。 Commonly found from Mexico to 57th degree north latitude。 Migrations March。 October。 Common summer resident。
In oozy pastures where a brook lazily finds its way through the farm is the ideal pleasure ground of this 〃bird of society。〃 His notes； 〃h'…wa…ker…ee〃 or 〃con…quer…ee〃 （on an ascending scale）； are liquid in quality； suggesting the sweet； moist； cool retreats where he nests。 Liking either heat or cold （he is fond of wintering in Florida； but often retreats to the north while the marshes are still frozen）； enjoying not only the company of large flocks of his own kind with whom he travels； but any bird associates with whom he can scrape acquaintance； or to sit quietly on a tree…top in the secluded； inaccessible bog while his mate is nesting； satisfied with cut…worms； grubs； and insects； or with fruit and grain for his food the blackbird is an impressive and helpful example of how to get the best out of life。
Yet； of all the birds； some farmers complain that the blackbird is the greatest nuisance。 They dislike the noisy chatterings when a flock is simply indulging its social instincts。 They complain； too； that the blackbirds eat their corn； forgetting that having devoured innumerable grubs from it during the summer； the birds feel justly entitled to a share of the profits。 Though occasionally guilty of eating the farmer's corn and oats and rice； yet it has been found that nearly seven…eighths of the redwing's food is made up of weed…seeds or of insects injurious to agriculture。 This bird builds its nest in low bushes on the margin of ponds or low in the bog grass of marshes。 From three to five pale…blue eggs； curiously streaked； spotted； and scrawled with black or purple； constitute a brood。 Nursery duties are soon finished； for in July the young birds are ready to gather in flocks with their elders。
〃The blackbirds make the maples ring With social cheer and jubilee； The red…wing flutes his '0…ka…lee！'〃 Emerson。
PURPLE MARTIN （Progne subis） Swallow family
Length 7 to 8 inches。 Two or three inches smaller than the robin。 Male Rich glossy black with bluish