PASSERES—ICTERIDZ. 131 
with the Bronzed Grackles in their roosts during the sum- 
mer and autumn, and may sometimes be found in the north- 
ward moving flocks made up of the several species of 
“Blackbirds.” During the summer it is found in companies 
of five to eight individuals, both males and females, about 
the woodlands and pastures. 
179. (498.) AGELAIUS PH@NIcEUS (Linn.). 117. 
Red-winged Blackbird. 
Synonyms: Agelefus phoenicus, Icterus phoenicus, Oriolus 
pheeniceus. 
Swamp Blackbird, Red-winged Starling, Red-and-buff-shoul- 
dered Marsh Blackbird, Blackbird. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 162. 
This is probably the most familiar bird of the swamps 
and marshes in all parts of the state, where it nests in large 
numbers. In some regions where its natural nesting places 
of rushes and cat-tails have disappeared on account of 
drainage, it has gone into the clover fields and meadows. 
In others it has taken to the brush. 
The testimony of the examination of large numbers of 
stomachs of this bird shows that it may prove harmful in 
some places and under some circumstances, but that its 
harmfulness is about one-eighth, as represented by the 
grains which it eats. The harmful insects and weed seeds 
which it destroys should far outweigh any damage done to 
agriculture. No doubt a large part of the grain eaten is 
waste grain. 
The Red-wing is one of spring’s harbingers. He reaches 
Ohio not far from the first of March, but is inclined to be 
a few days later than the Bluebird and Robin. When the 
season is late he may come in a large flock of “Blackbirds,” 
but earlier he seems to prefer to travel with a small company 
of his own kind only. Like the other birds of his color he 
loves company, and after the young are able to fly, a whole 
swamp full select a place to spend the nights, which may 
be with the other species, or possibly a roosting-place ex- 
clusively of his own species. The most of our Red-wings 
