14 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



Blackbird, Red-winged (continued) 



cipal feather tracts. (2) Feather tracts conspicuous, eyes open. 



(3) Able to fly somewhat although the feathers do not yet cover 

 all the bare spaces; down still attached to feathers of head. 



(4) Ready to leave nest; bare spaces all covered except around 

 eye ; down still clinging to feathers. 



Call no. 

 Nu B14 Four Birds About 10 Days Old, with Open Mouths, Posed 

 on a Broken Cat-tail Chapman 



Which parent do they resemble? Note the down still attached 

 to the feathers of the head. 



Nu B144 Female Perched above Nest, Bringing Food to the Young. 

 Renwick marsh, near Ithaca. (May 18, 1910) Allen 



In this case the food is mostly May flies. Blackbirds eat some 

 of the farmer's grain, especially corn in the milk, but they live 

 much more on insects and weed seeds injurious to him. They 

 do much more good than harm to agriculture. 



Nu B146 Adult Feeding Young in Nest. Renwick marsh, near 

 Ithaca. (June 1910) Allen 



The food is placed far down the throat of the young birds. 



Nu B15 Female Inspecting Nest after Feeding the Young. Renwick 

 marsh, near Ithaca. (June 1910) Allen 



The redwing, like most other birds, looks very carefully after 

 the sanitary conditions of the nest. It allows nothing to remain 

 in the nest that would foul it. Such an inspection is a regular 

 performance. 



Nu B152 Female Cleaning Nest after Feeding the Young. Renwick. 

 (June 1910) Allen 



After each feeding all excrement is scrupulously removed from 

 the nest. Note how the body is suspended by its legs attached 

 to a reed on either side. 



Nu B158 Female About to Fly Away from Nest with Excrement. 

 Renwick marsh, near Ithaca. Allen 



The excrement of birds generally is inclosed in a white mucous 

 sack. 



