bird neighbors-第6章

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　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　and　purple　reflections；　　　duller　black　on　wings　and　tail。　Wings　rather　longer　than　the　　　tail；　which　is　forked。　Female　　More　brownish　and　mottled；　grayish　below。　Range　　Peculiar　to　America。　Penetrates　from　Arctic　Circle　to　　　South　America。　Migrations　　Late　April。　Early　September。　Summer　resident。

In　old…fashioned　gardens；　set　on　a　pole　over　which　honeysuckle　and　roses　climbed　from　a　bed　where　China　pinks；　phlox；　sweet　Williams；　and　hollyhocks　crowded　each　other　below；　martin　boxes　used　always　to　be　seen　with　a　pair　of　these　large；　beautiful　swallows　circling　overhead。　Bur　now；　alas！　the　boxes；　where　set　up　at　all；　are　quickly　monopolized　by　the　English　sparrow；　a　bird　that　the　martin；　courageous　as　a　kingbird　in　attacking　crows　and　hawks；　tolerates　as　a　neighbor　only　when　it　must。

Bradford　Torrey　tells　of　seeing　quantities　of　long…necked　squashes　dangling　from　poles　about　the　negro　cabins　all　through　the　South。　One　day　he　asked　an　old　colored　man　what　these　squashes　were　for。

〃Why；　deh　is　martins'　boxes；〃　said　Uncle　Remus。　〃No　danger　of　hawks　carryin'　off　de　chickens　so　long　as　de　martins　am　around。〃

The　Indians；　too；　have　always　had　a　special　liking　for　this　bird。　They　often　lined　a　hollowed…out　gourd　with　bits　of　bark　and　fastened　it　in　the　crotch　of　their　tent　poles　to　invite　its　friendship。　The　Mohegan　Indians　have　called　it　〃the　bird　that　never　rests〃a　name　better　suited　to　the　tireless　barn　swallow；　Dr。　Abbott　thinks。

Wasps；　beetles；　and　all　manner　of　injurious　garden　insects　constitute　its　diet　　another　reason　for　its　universal　popularity。　It　is　simple　enough　to　distinguish　the　martins　from　the　other　swallows　by　their　larger　size　and　iridescent　dark　coat；　not　to　mention　their　song；　which　is　very　soft　and　sweet；　like　musical　laughter；　rippling　up　through　the　throat。


COWBIRD　（Molothrus　ater）　Blackbird　family

Called　also：　BROWN…HEADED　ORIOLE；　COW…PEN　BIRD；　COW　BLACKBIRD；　　　COW　BUNTING；　＇BROWN…HEADED　COWBIRD；　AOU　1998＇

Length　　7　to　8　inches。　About　one…fifth　smaller　than　the　robin。　Male　　Iridescent　black；　with　head；　neck；　and　breast　glistening　　　brown。　Bill　dark　brown；　feet　brownish。　Female　　Dull　grayish…brown　above；　a　shade　lighter　below；　and　　　streaked　with　paler　shades　of　brown。　Range　　United　States；　from　coast　to　coast。　North　into　British　　　America；　south　into　Mexico。　Migrations　　March。　November。　Common　summer　resident。

The　cowbird　takes　its　name　from　its　habit　of　walking　about　among　the　cattle　in　the　pasture；　picking　up　the　small　insects　which　the　cattle　disturb　in　their　grazing。　The　bird　may　often　be　seen　within　a　foot　or　two　of　the　nose　of　a　cow　or　heifer；　walking　briskly　about　like　a　miniature　hen；　intently　watching　for　its　insect　prey。

Its　marital　and　domestic　character　is　thoroughly　bad。　Polygamous　and　utterly　irresponsible　for　its　offspring；　this　bird　forms　a　striking　contrast　to　other　feathered　neighbors；　and　indeed　is　almost　an　anomaly　in　the　animal　kingdom。　In　the　breeding　season　an　unnatural　mother　may　be　seen　skulking　about　in　the　trees　and　shrubbery；　seeking　for　ne