4S FOOD or WEST VIBLIXIA BIKDS 



CHAPTER VIII. 



BLACKBIRDS AND SPARROWS. 

 General Characteristics. 



The family of Blackbirds, Orioles, etc., includes the true Blackbirds, 

 the Meadowlark and the Orioles. So far as appearances go this is a 

 very miscellaneous group, yet the anatomical structure of these birds 

 is so much alike, though outward appearances are very unlike, that 

 systematists have placed in the same family the gorgeous Orioles, the 

 somber Blackbirds, the rollicking Bobolink and the terrestrial, sparrow- 

 like Meadowlark. In West Virginia ten members are comprised in this 

 family. They are the Bobolink, Cowbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red- 

 winged Blackbird, Meadowlark, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Rusty 

 Blackbird, Purple Crackle and Bronzed Crackle. Several of these birds 

 will be described in the paragraphs that follow. 



The large and useful family of Sparrows also must be considered in 

 this chapter. Aside from the English Sparrow we have in West Virginia 

 thirty species of native Sparrows. These are nearly all very hardy birds, 

 most of them of very dull colors, and many of them possessing great 

 musical ability. All have strong conical bills with which they can crush 

 the hard covering of seeds and grains. Their diet is made up of seeds, 

 grains, fruit and insects. In some species the bulk of the food consists 

 of insects, while others feed largely upon seeds. The Sparrow family 

 is of very general distribution, and everywhere one goes many species 

 are to be found. While some of these birds are fond of the woodlands, 

 and a few are to be found in trees, the larger proportion of the family 

 spend their time on the ground in the open fields or in the thickets. 

 Few birds have a more important place in nature's economy than the 

 family of Finches a.nd Sparrows. This will appear as we discuss the 

 food of some of the more important species. 



Blackbirds. 



Six species of Blackbirds have been recorded in West Virginia. One 

 of these, the Yellow-headed Blackbird, has been taken but once. It 

 is a western species and may never again be found in our State. The 

 Red-winged Blackbird is a very common species wherever there are 

 large meadows, swamps, glades or sluggish streams. In many places 

 within our boundaries this bird is very common and may be seen in im- 

 mense flocks in the migration seasons and in considerable numbers in 

 its favorite nesting places in summer time. The male may be readily 

 identified by his glossy black plumage and the brilliantly red and yellow 

 shoulder spots. The female is dull brownish gray in color and is very 

 inconspicuous. Grave charges of destroying much grain have been 

 hrought against this bird. It is true that the Red-wing is fond of certain 

 kinds of grain, oats particularly, and wheat and corn are often eaten. 

 Yet it has been proven that 57% of the whole year's fare for the Red- 

 wing is made up of weed-seeds and that many harmful insects, weevils 

 especially, are destroyed by this bird. In the month of June 25% of 



