Male with a glossy purplish head and greenish black body; female grayish brown. This is the Western representative of the preceding; it is most abundant west of the Rockies, but is also found on the Plains. Its distribution is not so northerly and it nests commonly in its United States range. Their eggs are whitish, very profusely spotted and blotched with various shades of brown (1. × .75).
PURPLE GRACKLE
511. Quiscalus quiscula. 12 inches
Male with purple head and greenish back; female brownish gray. All the Grackles are very similar in appearance, the colors varying with different individuals of the same species. Their habits are alike, too, and I consider them one of the most destructive of our birds.
Note.—A harsh “tchack,” and a squeaky song.
Nest.—Of sticks and twigs, usually in pines in the North and bushes in the South. Four eggs, pale bluish gray with black scrawls (1.10 × .80).
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to Mass.
Sub-Species.—511a. Florida Grackle (aglæus), slightly smaller. 511b. Bronzed Grackle (æneus), with a purple head and usually a brassy back. Eastern U. S., breeding north to Labrador and Manitoba.