159 
spreading their wings and tail and screwing themselves into constrained 
attitudes as they squeeze out their clear ‘‘O-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 
erops. 
501. Meadowlark. rr—.’fTrouRNEAU DES PRS. Sturnella magna. UL, 10-75. 
Plate XXVII A. 
— 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. J[cterus spurius. L. 7-32. A small Oriole, like the Balti- 
more (Plate XXVII B) with the orange of that bird replaced by 3eal 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 isunmistakable. 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 Orivle, 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. 
Disiribution. A more southern species than the Baltimore Oriole, occurring in Canada 
i ty along the lake Erie shore and occasionally north to the southern end of lake 
uron. 
The Orchard Oriole is commonly met with only along the southern 
borders of Ontario and in habits is quite similar to the Baltimore. 
