(_Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus._)
The geographical distribution of this member of the blackbird family
is western North America to the Pacific Ocean, east to Wisconsin,
Illinois, Kansas, and Texas. The bird is accidental in the Atlantic
states. It is found generally distributed on the prairies in all
favorable localities from Texas to Illinois. It is a common bird in
the West, collecting in colonies to breed in marshy places anywhere
in its general range, often in company with the red-winged blackbird.
The nests are usually placed in the midst of large marshes, attached
to the tall flags and grasses. Davie says they are generally large,
light, but thick-brimmed, made of interwoven grasses and sedges
impacted together. The eggs are from two to six in number, but the
usual number is four. Their ground color is dull grayish-white, in some
grayish-green, profusely covered with small blotches and specks of
drab, purplish-brown and umber. The average size is 1.12 × .75.
Mr. Nelson says that the yellow-headed blackbird is a very common
resident of Cook County, Ill., in large marshes. It arrives the first
of May and commences nesting the last of that month. Owing to the
restricted localities inhabited by it, it is but slightly known among
farmers; even those living near the marshes think it an uncommon
bird. The only difference in the habits of the male and female is the
slightly greater shyness of the former. Colonies nest in rushes in the
Calumet marshes, are bold and interesting, and adults are sometimes
seen on the ground along country roads some distance from water.
The food of these birds during the nesting season is worms and grubs,
which are fed each day to the young birds by the hundreds. In this way
they help protect the crops of the farmer. In the autumn, when the
young can fly as well as their parents, they collect in large flocks
and start on their southern journey. At this time young and old travel
together. Many of them are killed by hawks, which often follow a flock
for days, dashing into their midst whenever they see a chance to
capture one.
The blackbirds are alike in general characteristics. They all walk
and get most of their food on the ground. In spring, when large
flocks are roaming in all directions, one may easily be confused by
them. Miss Merriam says that with a little care they will easily be
distinguished. The crow blackbirds may be known by their large size
and long tails. The male cowbird may be told at a glance, she says, by
his chocolate-colored head, the red-wing by his epaulettes, and, we
may add, the yellow-headed by the brilliant yellow of his whole head
and neck, "as if he had plunged up to his shoulders in a keg of yellow
paint, while the rest of his attire is shining black." He utters a
loud, shrill whistle, quite unlike any sound produced by his kinsmen.
How sweet the harmonies of afternoon,
The blackbird sings along the sunny breeze
His ancient song of leaves and summer boon;
Rich breath of hayfields streams thro' the whispering trees,
And birds of morning trim their bustling wings,
And listen fondly, while the blackbird sings.
--_Frederick Tennyson._
[Illustration: YELLOW-HEADED BLACK BIRD.
2/3 Life-size.
FROM COL. F. NUSSBAUMER & SON.
A. W. MUMFORD, PUBLISHER, CHICAGO.
COPYRIGHT 1900, BY
NATURE STUDY PUB. CO., CHICAGO.]