498. Agelaius phoeniceus. 

 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 9 1-2 inches 



Male. Above and below black ; scarlet patch edged with buff on 



shoulder. Female. Above mottled brown and buff; shoulder 



patch indistinct. Below heavily striped. Looks like an overgrown 



sparrow. 



Large flocks often seen in spring walking on the newly ploughed 



land. Common in Massachusetts. Arrives in March. 



Song. O-ka-lee. Call notes, a chuck and long whistle. 



Nest. Among reeds or in a tussock or a bush, near water. 



Breeds. Throughout New England. 



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