rd. Brewster's Blackbird.]
[Illustration: Bluish green.]
[Illustration: Dull white.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 323

511. PURPLE GRACKLE. _Quiscalus quiscula quiscula._

Range.--Eastern United States from the Gulf to Massachusetts; winters
along the Gulf.

This species, which is commonly known as Crow Blackbird, nests in trees
or bushes anywhere in its range, and on the coast frequently constructs
its nests among the large sticks of Ospery nests. Large pines appear to
be favorite sites for them to locate their large nests of twigs, weeds,
grass and trash. They are placed at any elevation from nearly on the
ground to 50 feet above it. The eggs range from three to five and are
greenish white, splashed, spotted and scrawled with various shades of
brown and gray, and with streaks of black. Size 1.10 x .80. The nesting
habits and eggs of the sub-species of this Grackle do not differ in any
particular. Like those of this variety the eggs show an endless number
of patterns of markings.

511a. FLORIDA GRACKLE. _Quiscalus quiscula aglaeus._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States.

A smaller variety of the preceding; length about 11 inches. Eggs
indistinguishable.

511b. BRONZED GRACKLE. _Quiscalus quiscula aeneus._

Range.--North America east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to
Hudson Bay and Labrador. Winters in the southern parts of the United
States. This is the most common and widely distributed of the Crow
Blackbirds and is distinguished by the brassy color of the upper parts.

513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE. _Megaquiscalus major major._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to Virginia.

This handsome bird measures about 16 inches in length, is iridescent
with purplish and greenish, and has a very long, graduated and hollowed
tail. These Grackles are very abundant residents along the Gulf,
breeding in large colonies in swamps, placing their nests of weeds,
moss, grasses, etc., in bushes, trees, canes or rushes, but a few inches
above the water, while those in trees are sometimes 50 feet above the
ground. The eggs are laid in March, April or May, are from three to five
in number, and are a dull bluish or grayish white, streaked, lined,
clouded and blotched with brown, black and gray; size 1.25 x .95.

[Illustration 325: Dull greenish white.]
[Illustration: Purple Grackle. Bronzed Grackle.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Il