Remsen, J.V. 1977 Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula May 30 Deep Springs, Inyo Co., Calif.: 1 feeding in cattle pasture at south end of agricultural area where it had been found earlier in the day by Mike Parmeter, Bruce Broadbush et al. The head was a glowing, iridescent deep blue and contrasted with the iridescent bronzy-green back and wings; it was distinctly larger than nearby Brewer's Blackbirds but not nearly as large as Great-tailed Grackle; the tail was distinctively shaped - ridged or arched giving distinctive flight silhouette; iris pale; bill large and long; tail and belly blackish. May 31 Deep Springs: 1 (same bird, same spot) - deep "chuck" note given in flight. This bird was not a Great-tailed Grackle because ① much smaller body size - we had just seen Greataileds at Furnace Creek Ranch and I'm sure this bird was smaller than the ♀ Great-tailed, much less the male ② Great-tailed is iridescent but does not bright show the sharp contrast between a blue head and a bronzy-green back and wings; iridescence on Great-tailed is mainly blue-black. ③ this bird gave none of the creaking, rattling, and squeaking notes given by Great-tailed It was not a Brewer's Blackbird because ① it was much larger than a Brewer's Blackbird and direct comparison was made several times ② Brewer's Blackbird has a shorter bill relative to body size ③ Brewer's Blackbird doesnot show any strong contrast between head and back/wings.