USEFUL r.IROS 



171 



THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 



However injurious the group of blackbirds become in late 

 summer and fall, in the spring and early summer they almost or 

 quite pay for their depredations by consuming large numbers of 

 injurious insects. The Red-wing is a welcome arrival in the early 

 spring- Its really melodious note at that time is tuneful comfort 

 to bird lovers, after a long winter devoid of feathered singers. 

 At that time, the position taken by the bird in uttering its char- 

 acteristic note or notes discloses to advantage its scarlet shoulders 

 well set ofif by glossy black of wings, body, and tail. The gray- 

 ish-l)rown female, streaked with l)lack, we ma}' not notice, but 

 the male compels attention. 



The Department of Agriculture has made an e.xhaustiAe study 

 of this bird's food habits and finds about "x of its diet consists of 

 harmful insects and weed seeds. Locally when in large flocks, as 

 above intimated, it — with others of its tribe — may be very harm- 

 ful and a resort, on the part of the farmer, to extreme measures 

 is justified. 



