USKI'l'L I’.IRDS 
31 
THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
However injurious the i^roup of blackbirds 1)ecome in late 
summer and fall, in the s])ring- and early summer they almost or 
(juite ])ay for their depredations by consuming' large numbers of 
injurious insects. The Red-wdng is a welcome arrival in the early 
spring. Its really melodious note at that time is tuneful comfort 
to bird lovers, after a long winter de\oid 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 off by glossy black of wings, body, and tail. The gray- 
ish-brown female, streaked with black, we may not notice, but 
the male compels attention. 
The Department of Agriculture has made an exhaustive study 
of this bird’s food habits and hnds about % of its diet consists of 
harmful insects and \veed 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 part of the farmer, to extreme measures 
is justifled. 
