PASSERES — ICTERID^. 131 



with the Bronzed Crackles in their roosts during the sum- 

 mer and autumn, and may sometimes be found in the north- 

 ward moving flocks made up of the several species of 

 "Blackbirds." During the summer it is found in companies 

 of five to eight individuals, both males and females, about 

 the woodlands and pastures. 



179. (498.) Agelaius phceniceus (Linn.). 117. 

 Red-winged Blackbird. 



Synonyms: AgelaBus phoenicus, Icterus phoenicus, Oriolus 

 phceniceus. 

 Swamp Blackbird, Red-winged Starling, Red-and-bufE-shoul- 

 dered Marsh Blackbird, Blackbird. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 162. 



This is probably the most familiar bird of the swamps 

 and marshes in all parts of the state, where it nests in large 

 numbers. In some regions where its natural nesting places 

 of rushes and cat-tails have disappeared on account of 

 drainage, it has gone into the clover fields and meadows. 

 In others it has taken to the brush. 



The testimony of the examination of large numbers of 

 stomachs of this bird shows that it may prove harmful in 

 some places and under some circumstances, but that its 

 harmfulness is about one-eighth, as represented by the 

 grains which it eats. The harmful insects and weed seeds 

 which it destroys should far outweigh any damage done to 

 agriculture. No doubt a large part of the grain eaten is 

 waste grain. 



The Red-wing is one of spring's harbingers. He reaches 

 Ohio not far from the first of March, but is inclined to be 

 a few days later than the Bluebird and Robin. When the 

 season is late he may come in a large flock of "Blackbirds," 

 but earlier he seems to prefer to travel with a small company 

 of his own kind only. Like the other birds of his color he 

 loves company, and after the young are able to fly, a whole 

 swamp full select a place to spend the nights, which may 

 be with the other species, or possibly a roosting-place ex- 

 clusively of his own species. The most of our Red-wings 



