File:Bird neighbors. An introductory acquaintance with one hundred and fifty birds commonly found in the gardens, meadows, and woods about our homes (1904) (14565857569).jpg

Identifier: birdneighbors00blan (find matches)
Title: Bird neighbors. An introductory acquaintance with one hundred and fifty birds commonly found in the gardens, meadows, and woods about our homes
Year: 1904 (1900s)
Authors: Blanchan, Neltje, 1865-1918
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: New York : Grosset & Dunlap

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Gulf of Mexico and westward to the Plains.Migrations—April. November. A few winter north. A more sociable bird than the grackle, though it travel insmaller flocks, the rusty blackbird condescends to mingle freelywith other feathered friends in marshes and by brooksides. Youcan identify it by its rusty feathers and pale yellow eye, andeasily distinguish the rusty-gray female from the female redwingthat is conspicuously streaked. In April flocks of these birds may frequently be seen alongsluggish, secluded streams in the woods, feeding upon the seedsof various water or brookside plants, and probably upon insectsalso. At such times they often indulge in a curious spluttering,squeaking, musical concert that one listens to with pleasure.The breeding range is mostly north of the United States. Butlittle seems to be known of the birds habits in their northernhome. Why it should ever have been called a thrush blackbird is oneof those inscrutable mysteries peculiar to the naming of birds 46
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REDWINGED BLACKBIRD Conspicuously Black which are so frequently called precisely what they are not. Inspite of the compliment implied in associating the name of oneof our finest songsters with it, the rusty blackbird has a cluckingcall as unmusical as it is infrequent, and only very rarely in thespring does it pipe a note that even suggests the sweetness ofthe redwings. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaiiis phoeniceits) Blackbird family Called also: SWAMP BLACKBIRD ; RED-WINGED ORIOLE ;RED-WINGED STARLING Length—Exceptionally variable—7.50 to 9.80 inches. Usuallyabout an inch smaller than the robin. Male—Coal-black. Shoulders scarlet, edged with yellow. Female—Feathers finely and inconspicuously speckled withbrown, rusty black, whitish, and orange. Upper wing-coverts rusty black, tipped with white, or rufous and some-times spotted with black and red. Range—North America. Breeds from Texas to Columbia River,and throughout the United States. Commonly found fromMexico to 57th degree

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