THE OlllOLKS. HLACKI^.IHDS, CliOWS. AM) JAYS. 



101 



a degree, as to cause the total loss of tlie i,Tass in 1749, when 

 the colonists liad to get their hay from Pennsylvania and 

 even from Great Britain." 



The Red-wixged Blackbird is a summer denizen of swamps 

 and marshes throughout temperate North America. It is one 

 of the earliest birds to ai)pear in spring and one of the earliest 

 to leave its breeding-places, though the final departure of the 

 great flocks that congregate in suitable places in August is 



[;,■:- .;■- mfi,:iii, 



THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 

 {Afli'r liiologiiitl Survey. ) 



often delayed till October or November. While feeding their 

 young, red-wings frequently come to the field for grasshoppers 

 and such other insects as are to be found there. At other 

 s(^asons they are seed-eaters for tht^ most ])art. Where a])un- 

 dant, thry do considerable injury both to newly sown grain 

 and to ri|)ening croi)s. In some States boiuities have been 

 offered for their heads. Their custom of congregating in 

 large flocks makes their ovW work very great where it occurs. 



n 



