127 



resident from March to October ; gregarious and polygamous; noted for its para- 

 sitic habits. "Like the European cuckoo, it builds no nest, laying its eggs by 

 stealth in the nests of various other birds, especially wrens, warblers and sparrows ; 

 and it appears to constitute, furthermore, a remarkable exception to the rule of 

 conjugal affection and fidelity among birds. A wonderful provision for the perpet- 

 uation of the species is seen in its instinctive selection of smaller birds as the foster 

 parents of its offspring; for the larger bird receives the greater share of warmth 

 during incubation, and the lusty young cowbird asserts its precedence in the nest ; 

 while the foster birds, however reluctant to incubate the strange eggs (their devices 

 to avoid the duty are sometimes astonishing), become assiduous in their care of the 

 foundlings, even to the neglect of their own young." (Cotces.) 



The same author vividly portrays the cow-bird about to lay. "She becomes 

 disquieted, * * separates from the flock, and sallies forth to reconnoiter, 

 anxiously indeed, for her case is urgent and she has no home. How obtrusive is 

 the sad analogy! ® ••■ Now, however, comes her chance; there is the very nest 

 she wishes, and no one at home. She disappears for a few minutes, and it is 

 almost another bird that comes out of the bush. Her business done and troubles 

 over, she chuckles her self-gratulations, rustles her plumage to adjust it trimly, and 

 flies back to her associates. They know what has happened, but are discreet 

 enough to say nothing — charity is often no less wise than kind." (See pages i8o- 

 i86 of Coues' Birds of the Northwest.) 



AGELAi-US. Vieillot. Red-winged Blackbirds. 



119. A. PHQENICEUS. V. Male glossy black (not iridescent); lesser wing 

 coverts scarlet, with buffy and paler edgings ; female dusky streaked ; L. 9 ; W, 

 5; T. 4. Very common summer resident; in Northern Indiana it forages the 

 corn-field with the crow blackbird, and at night enters the large marshes to roost 

 in immense flocks. Neither species care for the "scare-crow" unless their numbers 

 are constantly decimated by the farmer's shotgun. 



XANTHOCEPHALUS. Bonaparte. Yellow-headed Blackbirds. 



120. X. ICTEROCEPHALUS. Bd. Male black with white wing patch ; head 

 and neck rich yellow; female smaller, browner, with less yellow ; L. 10; W. 5; 

 T. 3^. A common summer resident in marshes in the prairie region. It keeps in 

 the great marshes and is little known; "even those living next the marshes gener- 

 ally think it an uncommon bird." {Nelson.) An odd-colored bird.. 



STURNELLA. Vieillot. Meadow Larks. 



121. S, MAGNA. Sw. Brownish and much streaked above; chiefly yellow 

 below; a black crescent on breast ; L. 10 ; W, 5 ; T. 3^. An abundant summer 

 resident, a few remaining through mild winters, like the present. 



A pleasing vocalist — the spirit of our spring meadows, crying in April "spring 

 o' the year! spring o' the year." Burroughs. 



SUB-FAMIL Y ICTERIN.E. Orioles. 



Non-gregarious, insectivorous and frugivorous, strictly arboricole ; of brilliant or 

 strikingly contrasted colors and pleasing song ; making elaborately woven pensile 

 nests. The feet are weaker and the bill relatively longer and sharper than in the 

 preceding group. Seven North American species. 



