BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES 



(498) Agelaius phoeniceus 

 phcEniceus 



(Linn.) (Gr., gregarious; Lat., a certain 

 shade of red). 



RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD; 

 MARSH OR SWAMP BLACK- 

 BIRD. Ad. cf — As shown by the 

 upper bird. Wholly black, with a 

 slight gloss, except the shoulders 

 which shade from scarlet, through 

 brownish-yellow to white on the 

 greater coverts. Ad. 9 — Shown 

 by the lower bird; blackish above; 

 streaked below and tinted with 

 pinkish on the throat and breast. 

 L., 9.00; W., 4.65; T., 360. 



Range — Breeds from N. S. and 

 Ont. south to the Gulf. FLORIDA 

 RED-WING (A. p. tloridanus) is 

 found in Fla. and along the Gulf 

 coast to Tex. 



of the nest, and gets the major portion of food brought. 

 Warblers, sparrows, and vireos seem to be imposed on by 

 this parasite to a greater extent than any other species. 

 They nearly always accept the larger egg as a matter of 

 course and care for the young Cowbird as assiduously as 

 though it was their own. In fact, they have to take far 

 more care of it, for it follows them about and is fed for a week 

 or more after their own young are able to look out for them- 

 selves. 



RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, during summer, are 

 quite evenly distributed throughout eastern United States 

 and Canada. Since they are chiefly found in swamps and 

 marshy places, they are quite often known as Marsh Black- 

 birds. In winter they roam about in large flocks, through 

 the Southern States and do considerable damage to rice 

 crops. In spring they also do more or less damage to young 

 corn. They are always gregarious, but during the breeding 

 season split up into smaller flocks than at other times. At 

 this season the males delight in proudly elevating their 



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