'I'll KIR KCOXOMir KI-:LA'ri().\S I'O TIIK A( i R I ( I ’ LT C R I S'l' 
13 
THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
However injurious the i^roup of l)lackbircls l)econie in late 
summer and fall, in the spring and early summer they almost or 
(juite pay for their depredations l)v consuming large numbers of 
injurious insects. The Red-wing is a welcome arrival in the early 
spring. Its really melodious note at that time is tuneful comfort 
to l)ird lovers, after a long winter devoid of feathered singers. 
At that time, the position taken by the bird in uttering its char- 
acteristic note or notes discloses to advantage its scarlet shoulders 
well set ofif by glossy l)lack of wings, body, and tail, ddie gray- 
ish-brown female, streaked with black, we may not notice, Inb 
the male com])els attention. 
The Department of Agriculture has made an exhaustive study 
of this ['(ird’s food habits and finds about of its diet consists of 
harmful insects and weed seeds. Locally when in large flocks, as 
above intimated, it — with others of its tribe — may be very harm- 
ful and a resort, on the ]:>art of the farmer, to extreme measures 
IS justified. 
