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Handbook of N aiure-Siudy 



LESSON XXIX 



The Red-winged Blackbird 



Leading thought — The 

 red-winged blackbird 

 lives in the marshes 

 where it builds its nest 

 However, it comes over 

 to our plowed lands and 

 pastures and h:lps the 

 farmer by destroying 

 many insects which in- 

 jure the meadows, crops 

 and trees. 



Method — The obser- 

 vations should be made 

 by the pupils individually in the field. These birds may be looked for in 

 flocks early in the spring, but the study should be made in May or June 

 when they will be found in numbers in almost any swamp. The questions 

 may be given to the pupils a few at a time or written in their field note- 

 books and the answers discussed when discovered. 



Observations— 1 . How can you distinguish the red-winged blackbird 

 from all other blackbirds ? Where is the red on his wings ? Is there any 

 other color besides black on the wings? Where? What is the color of 

 the rest of the plumage? 



2. AVhat is there peculiar in the flight of the red-wing? Is its tail 

 long or short? How does it use its tail in flight? What is its position 

 when the bird alights on a reed? 



3. What is the song of the red-wing? Describe the way he holds his 

 wings and tail when singing, balanced on a reed or some other swamp 

 grass. Does he show off his epaulets when singing? Why? What note 

 does he give when he is surprised or suspicious ? When frightened ? 



4. When does the red-wing first appear in the spring? Does he come 

 alone or in flocks? Does his mate come with him? Where do the red- 

 wings winter? In what localities do the red-wing blackbirds live ? Why 

 do they live there? What is the color of the mother red-wing? Would 

 you know by her looks that she was a blackbird? What advantage is it 

 to the pair that the female is so dull in color? 



5. At what time do these birds nest? Where is the nest built? Of 

 what material ? How is it concealed ? What is the color of the eggs ? 



6. Do the young birds resemble in color their father or their mother? 

 Why is this an advantage? 



7. Is the red-wing ever seen in fields adjoining the marshes? What 

 is he doing there? Does he walk or hop when looking for food? What 

 is the food of the red-wings? Do they ever damage grain? Do they not 

 protect grain more than they damage it? 



8. What great good do the red-wings do for forest trees? For 

 orchards? 



9. At what time in the summer do the red-wings disappear from the 

 swamps? Where do they gather in flocks? Where is their special feed- 

 ing ground on the way south for the winter? 



