Meadowlark 143 



RUSTY BLACKBIRD 



Called also: Thrush Blackbird 



This cousin of the red-wing, whom it resembles 

 in size, flight and notes, is a common migrant 

 in the United States. Nesting is done farther 

 north. In spring, the rusty blackbirds come 

 from the South in pairs, already mated, whereas 

 the red-wings and grackles travel then in flocks. 

 At that time the males are a uniform glossy, 

 bluish-black, and their mates a slate gray, darker 

 above than below ; but after the summer moult, 

 when they gather in small companies, both 

 are decidedly rusty. You might mistake them 

 for grackles in the spring, but never for male 

 red-wings then with their bright epaulettes. 

 Notice the rusty blackbird's pale yellow eye. 



MEADOWLARK 



Called also: Old-field Lark; Meadow Starling 



Every farmer's boy knows his father's friend, 

 the meadowlark, the brownish, mottled bird, 

 larger than a robin, with a lovely yellow breast 

 and black crescent on it, that keeps well hidden 

 in the grass of the meadows or grain fields. 

 Of course he knows, too, that it is not really 

 a lark, but a starling. When the shy bird 

 takes wing, note the white feathers on the 



