THE RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 31 



from the south during the last weeks in March and the first in April, while 

 many do not depart for their summer home in the far north till the first or even 

 second week in May. 



Rusty Blackbirds are to be found chiefly in damp woods and along 

 streams. While with us they are rather retiring, partly because they are pil- 

 grims — and it behooves all such to be modest — and partly because they undergo 

 the spring moult en route. The last trace of rusty edging must be removed 

 from the feathers before the breeding ground is reached, tho such as have at- 

 tained the full dignity of dress suits may declare their hearts to the ladies 

 before they quit Ohio. 



In some tiny glade in the heart of the budding forest it is that one comes 

 upon a company of these sojourners, feeding perhaps upon the ground. They 

 walk about with easy grace or shift by little flights, males and females flocking 

 together, and all engaged in a subued but voluble chatter. An instant hush 

 follows the signal of alarm and the flock rises silently to the neighboring tree- 

 tops or passes to a distant spot, where their conversation is gradually resumed. 

 As the alarm decreases the birds come gradually dropping down, one by one, 

 until confidence is completely restored again. 



The notes of the Rusty Blackbird consist of a bubbling medley of I's and 

 r's through which clear, high-pitched whistles or squeaks are interspersed at 

 will. Gorwhillier conveys some idea of the liquid quality of the former, and ex- 

 presses also in part the effort which is required to produce them. The effect 

 of a full chorus is really quite pleasing. If not "music" it is at least among the 

 less disagreeable of noises. 



