MORE ABOUT MY FEATHERED FRIENDS. 87 



THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.* 



These birds are abundant in Canada, especially haunt- 

 ing the shores of the lakes and rivers, though they are 

 not water birds. They live chiefly on wild rice and the 

 seeds of aquatic plants and insects, but are very trouble- 

 some to the farmer, as they make great havoc of his 

 grain fields. 



At night they roost on the trees and among the bushes 

 at the borders of marshy places. About sundown they 

 gather in great flocks and retire to their leafy lodgings, 

 filling the air with the noise of their wings, chattering 

 and calling to each other. 



They have their sentinels in the day-time to warn the 

 flock of approaching danger. These utter a note which 

 sounds like the words " Geek ! geek ! " often repeated. 

 There is also another note uttered slowly like the twang 

 of the string of a harp. 



I used to listen for this vibrant note and try to dis- 

 cover its meaning. No doubt it was a signal to its 

 comrades, as the flock would rise on the wing at once 

 upon hearing it. 



The feathers on the upper part of the wing of this 

 bird give it the name of Red-wing. The gay shoulder- 

 knot, like a soldier's epaulette, brightens and relieves 

 the dead black of the plumage. When on the wing 

 this bright spot is seen better, the light catching it as 



t Agelaius Phceniceus (Linn.). ■ 



