This is another of our Black Birds, which is a winter visitant, breeding far to the northward of us. They visit us in the autumn, in small flocks, keeping company with the Red Winged Starling and Cowpen Finches, on our meadows, and on the approach of winter they move further south with those birds. I have had them in my possession, but have not as yet kept them long enough to test their singing properties in a cage. They are nearly silent while with us, having only a single note; but in the countries where they breed they are said to sing very sweetly. They are docile, and apt to learn, and soon become very tame and familiar, like the former. Rather smaller in size than the Purple Grakle, it is clean and handsome in shape, and I have no doubt may become an excellent cage bird.

Food

It is a hardy bird, and may easily be kept on the same food as the Purple Grakle, or the Red Winged Starling.

Characteristics Of The Sexes

The male of this bird is black, with beautiful green reflexions. The female has the upper parts brown, the lower parts of an ash color, and is smaller in size.

Location

Found throughout the United States, in autumn and winter. In the spring, migrates north.