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Early in March, RED-WINGED 

 BLACKBIRDS return and for several 

 weeks roam about in flocks rather aim- 

 lessly, feeding upon seeds and grain, 

 the remnant of last years crops. These 

 early flocks are composed almost whol- 

 ly of male birds; the females arrive 

 a week or so later and then all repair 

 to the marshy, swampy land that con- 

 stitutes their real home. 



The male Red-wings are sometimes 

 locally known as "Soldier Birds" on ac- 

 count of the handsome scarlet and buff 

 epaulets on their shoulders. They are 

 so much more conspicuous than their 

 striped mates that the latter are sel- 

 dom noticed unless one visits their 

 haunts during the nesting season, when 

 all gather around and "tchack" vehe- 

 mently, the males also uttering a rasp- 

 ing "tzeer." Their nests are woven 

 baskets of grass suspended from forks 

 of bushes, usually over water. Some- 

 times, too, they are located in tufts of 

 grass on the ground. The males, in 

 times of peace, utter a pleasing liquid 

 "cong-quer-ree," spreading the wings 

 and tail while singing it. 



retain their color for a long time. 



Among the dwellers of our fields and meadows, none are 

 more conspicuous than MEADOWLARKS. As we cross 

 their retreats, they take wing with a sputtering alarm note 

 and fly off with alternate flappings and sailings, showing 

 the white outer tail feathers, which form an important 

 field mark. Seen back toj they are very inconspicuous, but 

 when they face us, their bright yellow breasts with promi- 

 nent V black markings show plainly for a long distance. 

 Their song is a very pleasing one of fife-like whistles and 

 a varying intonation and accent. The words "Spring o' 

 the Y-e-a-r" fit to it very nicely. They often let us get 

 close to them when they are on the ground, but when on 

 trees or posts they are very shy. They are strong walkers, 

 cover much ground while feeding and must be of great 

 benefit to agriculturists, as their food during most of the 

 year is chiefly insectivorious. Some of them remain with 

 us through the winter, but the majority go south. 



COWBIRDS are parisites. They are our only species 

 of birds which do not make nests of their own, their eggs 

 being laid singly in the nests of smaller birds and the 

 hatching and care of the young being left to the mercies 



