34 W I L D T U R K E Y.
male, differs further from him in wanting the spurs and pendulous wattles,
in having the frontal papilla much smaller, the naked space of the
neck less, and the colours much duller, although similar in distribution.
The naked parts of the head and neck are more furnished with bristly
feathers, and are of a light blue colour, with reddish tints interspersed.
The bill, the eyes, and the feet, are of the same colour as in the male,
the latter considerably paler. There is a line of short bristly dark-coloured
feathers down the back of the neck. The general colour of the
upper and under parts is greyish-brown, with metallic bronzed reflections,
each feather terminated by a band of black. On 'the lower back
the brown tints become brighter, and on the rump and upper tail-coverts
change into bright chestnut, with transverse bands of brown. The
ground colour of the tail is pale yellowish-brown, transversely barred
and mottled as in the male, and with a broad subterminal band of brownish
black, beyond which the feathers are mottled, and finally terminated
by uniform light brown. The abdominal region is dull brownish-grey.
The primary quills are greyish-white, barred with brownish-black; the
secondaries brownish-grey, similarly barred. The wing-coverts are similar
to the feathers of the back.
Length 3 feet 1 inch, extent of wings 4 feet 6 inches; bill 1 inch
along the ridge, 1 | along the gap; tarsus 6 ; middle toe 3J, hind toe l £ ,
pectoral appendage 4 inches.
The young, a few days old, are pale brownish-yellow above, pale yellowish
grey beneath, the top of the head brighter, marked in the middle
with a longitudinal pale brown band, the back and wings spotted with
brownish-black, excepting the lesser wing-coverts, which are uniformly
didl brown. Iris yellowish-brown ; bill and feet flesh-coloured.
P U R P L E GRAKLE OR COMMON CROW-BLACKBIRD.
QUISCALUS VERSICOLOR, VlElLL.
PLATE VII. MALE and FEMALEI
COULD not think of any better mode of representing these birds than
that which I have adopted, as it exhibits them in the exercise of their nefarious
propensities. Look at them : The male, as if full of delight at the
sight of the havoc which he has already committed on the tender, juicy,
unripe corn on which he stands, has swelled his throat, and is calling in
exultation to his companions to come and assist him in demolishing it.
The female has fed herself, and is about to fly off with a well-loaded bill
to her hungry and expectant brood, that, from the nest, look on thei
plundering parents, joyously anticipating the pleasures of which they shall
ere long be allowed to participate. See how torn the husk is from the ear,
and how nearly devoured the grains of corn already are ! This is the
tithe our Blackbirds take from our planters and farmers; but it was so
appointed, and such is the will of the beneficent Creator.
These birds are constant residents in Louisiana. I say they are so, because
a certain number of them, which in some countries would be called
immense, is found there at all seasons of the year. No sooner has the
cotton or corn planter begun to turn his land into brown furrows, than
the Crow-Blackbirds are seen sailing down from the skirts of the woods,
alighting in the fields, and following his track along the ridges of newlyturned
earth, with an elegant and elevated step, which shews them to be
as fearless and free as the air through which they wing their way. The
genial rays of the sun shine on their silky plumage, and offer to the ploughman's
eye such rich and varying tints, that no painter, however gifted,
could ever imitate them. The coppery bronze, which in one light shews
its rich gloss, is, by the least motion of the bird, changed in a moment
to brilliant and deep azure, and again, in the next light, becomes refulgent
sapphire or emerald-green.
The bird stops, spreads its tail, lowers its wings, and, with swelled
throat and open bill, sounds a call to those which may chance to be passing
near. The stately step is resumed. Its keen eye, busily engaged on
either side, is immediately attracted by a grub, hastening to hide itself
c 2