236 VERTEBRATA 



the plumage of the two sexes as well as the variation in 

 the plumage in different seasons. The black and white 

 male presents a strong contrast to the dull yellowish-brown 

 female. In autumn, however, the plumage of the male 

 changes to the same hue as that of his partner. 



The cow bird never builds a nest, but lays its brown- 

 speckled white eggs in the nest of a smaller bird where 

 hatching more quickly and growing more rapidly than the 

 rightful occupants, they crowed the latter out of the nest, 

 It is nearly as large as the robin, but not so stout. The 

 dusky brown female is smaller than the male which has 

 an iridescent black head. They often mingle with the 

 cows in the pasture. 



The mead.ow lark, widely distributed over the United 

 States, is a lover of the pastures and meadows, where it 

 may be recognized by its white tail feathers and large 

 black crescent on a yellow breast. It is larger than the 

 robin. The stomach contents of ninety-three specimens 

 show that it is of great value in ridding the grass lands of 

 insects. The blackbirds, the larger of which are called 

 grackles, sometimes pull up the young corn, but they make 

 ample restitution by destroying weevils, grubs, and army 

 worms. The red-winged blackbirds nest in bushes in the 

 swamps, and the grackles build in the tree tops. 



Finches (Fringillidae). This family includes many 

 small birds and a few larger ones, among which is the rose- 

 breasted grosbeak, famous for its soft, sweet, rolling warble 

 on moonlight nights. The large beak and the rosy breast 

 of the male gave origin to the name. 



The sparrows, of which there are more than a score of 

 species residing with us, are with one exception exceedingly 



