220 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



dusky, streaked. Extreme measurements of 35 specimens from Raleigh: L., 7.25-9.40; W., 

 3.75-4.80; T., 2.75-3.80. The males are considerably larger than the females, as is usual in the 

 family. 



Range. Temperate North America, wintering in the more southern States. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State at all seasons, except in the mountain region, where 

 it is chiefly a summer visitor. 



FIG. 172. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 



The Red-winged Blackbird is the best known member of the blackbird family 

 in North Carolina. It breeds in marshes throughout the State. In the mountain 

 region it appears to be only a summer visitor, arriving in March or earlier, but in 

 the rest of the State it is found at all seasons, although the flocks in winter seem 

 to be composed almost entirely of females. In February and March their numbers 

 are greatly augmented by the arrival of migrants bound northward. At this season 

 they feed to a great extent in the fields of newly planted grain, probably doing 

 some damage by eating the sprouting seeds, and some good by destroying cutworms 

 and other noxious insects. After March, their numbers having been reduced to the 

 resident population, they confine themselves pretty closely to the lowgrounds, where 

 they nest in reeds, cattails, or bushes growing in marshes. The nests are composed 

 of coarse marsh grasses, woven together into deep cup-shaped structures. The 

 eggs in this State are laid in May and June, and are usually four in number. In 

 color they are pale bluish, marked with dots and lines that look as if they had been 

 made with pen and ink. Size 1.00 x .70. 



Speaking of this bird, Coues wrote: "In the breeding season the 'creaking- 

 chorus' makes an indescribable medley." 



Genus Sturnella (Vieill.) 

 205. Sturnella magna magna (Linn.}. MEADOWLARK; "FIELD LARK." 



Description. Much streaked above. Breast and most of underparts yellow, a black crescent 

 on breast, belly whitish. Extreme measurements of 35 specimens from Raleigh: L., 8.60-10.60; 

 W., 4.05-5.05; T., 2.30-3.15. 



General Range. -Eastern United States, wintering in the more southern States. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State in winter, in summer recorded only from portions of 

 the mountain and the coast regions. 



