the Grackle, in ornithology, a genus belonging to the order of piege. The bill is convex, cultrated, and bare at the point; the tongue is not cloven, but is fleshy and sharpish; it has three toes before and one behind. 1. The religiosa, lesser grackle, or Indian starling, is about the size of a blackbird, the bill an inch and a half long, and of an orange colour. The general colour of the plumage is black, glossed with violet, purple, and green, in different reflections of light: on the quills is a bar of white: the feathers and legs are orange yellow, and the claws of a pale brown. This species, which is found in several parts of the East Indies, in the Isle of Hainan, and almost every island beyond the Ganges, is remarkable for whistling, fingering, and talking well, much better than any of the parrot genus, and in particular very distinct. Its food is of the vegetable kind. Those kept in this climate are observed to be very fond of cherries and grapes: if cherries are offered to one, and it does not immediately get them, it cries and whines like a young child, till it has obtained its desire. It is a very tame and familiar bird. 2. The barita, or boat-tailed grackle, is about the size of a cuckow. The bill is sharp, black, and an inch and a half in length; the general colour of the plumage is black, with a gloss of purple, especially on the upper parts; the legs and claws are black, the latter hooked. These is a singularity in the folding up of the tail-feathers, which, instead of forming a plain surface at top, sink into a hollow like a deep gutter. It always carries its tail expanded when on the ground, folding it up in the above singular manner only when perched or flying. It inhabits Jamaica; and it feeds on maize, beetles, and other insects, as well as on the fruit of the banana. It is likewise common in North America, keeping company with the flocks of the maize-thieves, and red-winged oriole. These breed in the swamps, and migrate in September, after which none are seen. 3. The quiscula, purple-jackdaw, or Barbadoes blackbird, is about the size of a blackbird: the whole bird is black, but most beautifully and richly glossed with purple, especially on the head and neck. The female is wholly of a brown colour, deepest on the wings and tail. This species inhabits Carolina, Mexico, and other parts of North America, also Jamaica. These birds for the most part feed on maize, whence the name of maize-thieves has been given them; but this is not their only food, for they are known also to feed on many other things. In spring, soon after the maize seed is put into the ground, they scratch it up again; and as soon as the leaf comes out, they take it up with their bills, root and all; but when it is ripe they do still more damage. for at that time they come in troops of thousands, and are so bold, that if disturbed in one part of a field they only go to another. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania three pence per dozen was once given for the dead birds, and by means of this premium they were nearly extirpated in 1750; when the persecution of them was abated on account of the great increase of worms which had taken place in the meadows, and which in the preceding year had left so little hay in New England as to occasion an importation from other parts. The grakles were therefore again tolerated, as it was observed that they fed on these wormstil the maize was ripe. These birds build in trees. They are said to pass the winter in swamps, which are quite overgrown with wood, from thence only appearing in mild weather; and after the maize is got in, are content to feed on other things, as the aquatic tare-grafts, and if pressed by hunger, buck-wheat and oats, &c. they are said also to destroy that pernicious insect the bruchus pisi. Their note is pretty and agreeable; but their flesh is not good to eat. 4. The crissatella, or Chinese starling, is a little bigger than a blackbird. The bill is yellow or orange; and the general colour of the plumage blackish, with a tinge of blue: the legs are of a dull yellow. These birds, which are said to talk and whistle very well, are common in China, where they are very much esteemed, and the figures of them are seen frequently in Chinese paintings. Their food is rice, insects, worms, and such like. They are seldom brought to England alive, requiring the greatest care in the passage.—There are eight other species of Graculus.