18 THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
INOS 76 
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
A. O. U. No. 498. Agelaius pheeniceus (Linn.). 
Synonyms.—MarsH BLACKBIRD; SWAMP BLACKBIRD; REDWING; ReEp- 
SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD. 
Description.—Adult male: Glossy black; “shoulder patches” (lesser wing 
coverts) of bright scarlet, partially concealed in repose by black scapulars and 
bound by a broad buff border posteriorly; bill and feet horn black. Jemale: 
Brownish gray, mottled and streaked, sharply below, less distinctly above; feath- 
Photo by E. B. Williamson. 
A TYPICAL NESTING SWAMP. 
ers of back edged by buff or bay, shoulders subdued red; throat, chin, cheeks, and 
superciliary stripe faintly ruddy. Young, similar to female, but darker. Young 
males exhibit every intermediate phase of plumage. Males in fall have their 
uniform black interrupted by whitish, buffy, and tawny edgings of the feathers. 
The epaulets at this season are a sickly orange-red. Males, length 9.00 (228.6) ; 
wing 4.84 (122.9); tail 3.82 (97.); bill .85 (21.6); depth of bill at base .50 
(12.7). Female, length about 8.00 (203.2) ; wing 4.06 (103.1); tail 3.23 (82.) : 
bill .76 (19.3) ; depth at base .43 (10.9). 
