BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN STATES 311 
that the easiest way to get flies and mosquitoes to eat. Thus, by their 
feeding habit they incidentally do some good. 
497 Yellow-headed Blackbird. WLength 9 to 11 inches. 
Is well named. The male is easily identified by his deep yellow head, 
neck, and breast ; white patch near the bend of the wing; the rest is 
black. The female is a grayish brown bird with most of the head and 
_ breast a dirty yellow. Found in marshy places; nest fastened to reeds, 
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD 
2 or 3 feet above the water. These birds usually gather together in 
companies. Notes harsh, not in the least musical. S.R. 
498 Red-winged Blackbird. Length 93 inches. 
The male is very easily identified, being a jet black bird with a dis- 
tinct red patch on the shoulder. The female is blackish above, streaked 
with rusty; under parts streaked with black and white. A common 
bird of sloughs and marshes; also often seen in fields and on trees. 
Nests in rushes or low bushes, often surrounded by water. His song 
is rich and clear and is usually translated kong-qucr-ree. In the fall 
they assemble in large flocks and give blackbird choruses that are worth 
hearing. Blackbirds arouse the farmer’s ire by stealing his corn, but 
he should give them credit for the tons of bugs and worms they destroy 
in a season. Common S.R. 
