159 



spreading their wings and tail and screwing themselves into constrained 

 attitudes as they squeeze out their clear "0-ke-ree" with a roll on the last 

 syllable, in sight and hearing of the females. In the spring the Blackbirds 

 usually arrive in large flocks of mixed species which keep together a few 

 days and then separate. The Red-wings repair to the marshes and before 

 the reeds begin to grow they settle down to their domestic arrangements. 

 When the family cares are over for the season all Blackbird species unite 

 again in flocks that darken the sky, roosting together in the marshes when 

 possible and scattering through the day in groups of various sizes which 

 frequent the harvest fields. 



Economic Status. The character of its food makes the Red-wing 

 decidedly beneficial. Weed seeds and injurious insects form 80 per cent 

 of its food and grain about 15 per cent. In July and August more grain 

 is eaten, and in the early days of settlement when the acreage under cul- 

 tivation was small and Blackbirds many they were a serious menace to the 

 crops. 



501. Meadowlark. PR. L'^TOURNEAU DBS PRES. Sturnetta magna. L, 10-75. 

 Plate XXVII A. 



Distinctions. Unmistakable for any other species in eastern Canada. (Bill, Figure 

 47, p. 26). 



Field Marks. The striking, yellow breast with sharp black necklace is unmistakable. 

 Flying, the white outer tail feathers and peculiar manner of flight are good recognition 

 marks. The familiar clear, long whistle of the Meadowlark is characteristic. 



Nesting. On ground, nest of grasses, usually arched over like an oven. 



Distribution. Eastern North America north to the limits of cultivation. 



The clear call of the Meadowlark is often the first indication of the 

 coming of spring. Coming with or sometimes even before the Robin and 

 the Bluebird, it haunts upland pastures and from the top of an isolated 

 tree or fence-post, pours out its rich, clear, far-carrying calls. 



Economic Status. The Meadowlark is one of the farmer's most 

 valuable assistants. Living close to the ground it attacks most of the 

 worst crop foes. Its food is made up of 75 per cent insects, 12 per cent 

 weed seeds, and 13 per cent grain nearly all taken in the late autumn and 

 early spring months and obviously owing to the scarcity of insects. This 

 bird should receive absolute protection. 



506. Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius. L. 7-32. A small Oriole, like the Balti- 

 more (Plate XXVII B) with the orange of that bird replaced by seal brown and 

 with a black tail. The female is an even dull green. The young male is like the female, 

 but has a black throat. 



Distinctions. The seal brown and black coloration of the male is unmistakable. The 

 female has a certain resemblance to the female Tanager, but is smaller and of more delicate 

 shape and has a fine pointed, unnotched bill. (Compare Figures 48 and 53, p. 26.) 



Field Marks. Colour, size, and voice somewhat like that of the Baltimore Oriole, but 

 richer and with characteristics of its own. 



Nesting. Nest woven of green grass hanging from a crotch. A beautiful structure, 

 not as elaborate nor as deeply bagged as that of the Baltimore. 



Distribution. A more southern species than the Baltimore Oriole, occurring in Canada 

 regularly along the lake Erie shore and occasionally north to the southern end of lake 

 Huron. 



The Orchard Oriole is commonly met with only along the southern 

 borders of Ontario and in habits is quite similar to the Baltimore. 



