513. (American Ornithologists' Union check-list #) Boat-tailed Grackle: Quiscalus major Vieill. Adult Male--Brilliant blue black, or almost blue. Length--16.00. Adult Female--Upper parts brownish; under parts dull buff or snuff colour. Length--12.50. Breeding Range--Florida, north to Virginia (near the Atlantic coast), and on the Gulf coast to Texas. The nest is a large structure of grass, saw-grass, sea-weed, roots, mud, sticks, and bark, placed in saw-grass or other swamps, or in bushes or trees, usually in the immediate vicinity of water. The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, are bluish or greenish white or drab, with scrawls, spots, and blotches of dark purplish brown or black. Size--1.24 x .81. These beautiful birds, so resplendent in their bright blue-black coats, appear almost like flashes of blue fire as they dart among the deep shadows of the Florida alder swamps. They are strictly gregarious during the breeding season, which begins in April, large numbers nesting within a small area.