220 
VERMONT AGRICULTURAL RKPORT. 
Indigo Bird. l\isserina cyanea, Gr. 
An attractive bird of vivacious manners, but not very brilliant 
song. Builds nest in bushes within a foot or two of the ground ; 
rather slovenly, and of the most convenient material. 
Blue Grosbeak. Guiraca ccerulea, Sw. 
A rare bird, yet occasionall}' seen here. 
RosE-BREASTED Grosbeak. Zcimelodia ludoviciana, Coues. 
This elegant bird famous for beauty of song and plumage, is 
often among us, and yet not ever}- 3'ear in equal numbers. A 
deep woods' bird and yet nests on the outskirts, in saplings, but 
high from the ground. A large nest of convenient material. 
Towhee Bunting. Fipilo erythrophthahnus, V. 
By some called " Marsh robin." Is often seen, but not plenty. 
The House Sparrow. Passer domesticus. 
Brought from England, and domesticated. Feeds upon in- 
sects and seeds and grain. Man}' dislike him, but there are 
things in his favor. It is so with most birds. 
FAMILY ICTERID^.— American Starlings. 
Bobolink ; Reed-bird ; Rice-bird. Dolichonyx oryzivorus^ Sw. 
Is too prominent and well known to need a word. Is migra- 
tory, and change their plumage and song as well as name. 
Cow-bird. Molothrus ater^ Gra}-. 
A common bird, but a regular cheat, as the female lays her 
eggs in other bird's nests, thus causing them to be fostered by 
stepmothers that hatch and raise them. 
Red-winged Black-bird. Agekaus phmiiceiis^ V. 
This bird is seen and known everywhere. Nest in reeds, 
bushes, or common grass near the ground. Not artistic ; built 
of grasses and convenient material, with a few hairs for lining. 
Field Lark. Sturnella magna ^Sw. 
Seen here, but not very common. 
Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius^ Bp. 
Increasing from year to year. Its nest is a marvel of skill, 
being a purse woven close and compact, sometimes of grass, 
sometimes of strings. It is perfectl}^ pendant from a small 
branch. 
Baltimore Oriole. Icterus yalbula^ Coues. 
This is one of Vermont's beauties of bird hfe, called also the 
" Golden Robin," "The Fire Bird" or "Hang Nest." Nest 
similar to the orchard Oriole. 
