_Quiscalus quiscula quiscula. Case 5, Fig. 1_
Plumage varied with metallic and iridescent
reflections; tail long, fan-shaped, often 'keeled'
in flight; eye pale yellow. Male, L. 12-1/2. The
female is smaller and duller; L. 10-1/2.
_Range._ Eastern North America; nests east of the
Alleghanies from northern Georgia to Connecticut;
winters from Maryland southward.
Washington, common T.V. and S.R., Feb. 20; a few
winter. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Feb.
15-Nov. 8. Cambridge, rare S.R.
The Florida Grackle (_Quiscalus quiscula aglæus_, Case 4, Fig. 74) is
smaller than the Purple Grackle and has the head and neck violet-purple,
the back bottle-green. It is resident in Florida and the Gulf States
north to South Carolina.
The Bronzed Grackle (_Quiscalus quiscula oeneus_, Case 5, Fig. 2) is
the same size as the Purple Grackle, but has the body bronzy without
iridescent markings. It nests from Texas up the Mississippi Valley and
eastward through central New York and Massachusetts to New Brunswick,
north to Canada; and in migration is found in the range of the Purple
Grackle. It winters from the Ohio Valley southward.
Washington, rare T.V., Feb 20-Apl. 17. Ossining,
common T.V., Apl; Nov. Cambridge, abundant. S.R.,
Mch. 10-Nov. 1; occasional in winter. N. Ohio,
abundant, S.R., Mch. 1-Nov. 15; rarely winters.
Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Mch. 5-Nov. 15, SE. Minn,
common S.R., Mch, 18-Nov. 1; rare in winter.
The Grackle is the largest of our northern Blackbirds. In the south it
is exceeded in size only by the Boat-tailed Grackle. It migrates in
flocks and nests in colonies, often in parks and cemeteries. It feeds
chiefly on the ground and is frequently seen upon our lawns when it may
be known by its rather waddling, walking gait, and its long tail. Its
notes are harsh, cracked and discordant, but when heard in chorus make a
pleasing medley. The nest is sometimes placed in pines about 30 feet up,
but also in bushes and even in holes in trees. The 3-7 eggs are usually
pale bluish, heavily blotched and scrawled with brown and black.