FOOD OF THE BOBOLINK, BLACKBIRDS, AND GRACKLES. 



By F. E. L. Beal, B. S., 



Assistant Biologist, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The birds commonly known as bobolinks, meadowlarks, orioles, 

 blackbirds, grackles, and cowbirds are all comprised in a group 

 known as the family Icteridse, which is represented in the United 

 States by 29 species and subspecies. These differ remarkably in 

 plumage, nesting habits, and methods of obtaining food. The plain 

 black in which many of them are clothed is relieved in the redwing by 

 a touch of brilliant color, and in the bobolink (in spring dress) by white 

 and buff; in the orioles it is usually reduced to a few patches to offset 

 the bright tints; and in the meadowlarks is restricted to a black cres- 

 cent on the breast. The orioles build their nests in trees, sometimes 

 at a considerable height, and obtain their food among the leaves and 

 branches. The bobolinks and meadowlarks build upon the ground 

 and depend for food upon such insects and seeds as they find on the 

 surface. The other species take an intermediate position, 'some, such 

 as the crow blackbird, building in trees, and others on low bushes and 

 rushes, but all obtaining the greater part of their food on the ground. 



In this bulletin are discussed the food habits of the bobolink, the 

 cowbird, the yellow-headed blackbird, the red-winged blackbird, the 

 California red-winged blackbird, the rusty blackbird, Brewer's black- 

 bird, the crow blackbird, and the boat-tailed grackle. These comprise 

 all the important members of the group with the exception of the 

 meadowlarks and orioles.^ One or more of these species may be 

 found at some time of the year in every State and Territory. As they 

 are much given to nesting and feeding about farms and stock yards 

 or to visiting outlying grainfields and pastures, the character of their 

 food becomes a question of considerable importance to the cultivator. 



^A report on the food of the meadowlark and Baltimore oriole was published in 

 the Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture for 1895, pp. 419-430; a preliminary 

 report on the food habits of the crow blackbird appeared in the Yearbook for 1894, 

 pp. 233-248; and the grain-eating habits of most of the blackbirds were discussed 

 under the title 'Birds injurious to grain,' in the Yearbook for 1897, pp. 345-354. 



7 



