Birds and All Nature, Vol. VII, No 1, January 1900

<h2><SPAN name="THE_YELLOW-HEADED_BLACKBIRD-1" id="THE_YELLOW-HEADED_BLACKBIRD-1"></SPAN> THE YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.<br/> <span class="xx-smaller"><span style="font-weight:lighter;"> (<i>Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.</i>)</span></span></h2> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <div class="poetry-container"> <div class="poetry"> <div class="verse">How sweet the harmonies of afternoon,</div> <div class="verse indent-2">The blackbird sings along the sunny breeze</div> <div class="verse">His ancient song of leaves and summer boon;</div> <div class="verse indent-2">Rich breath of hayfields streams thro' the whispering trees,</div> <div class="verse">And birds of morning trim their bustling wings,</div> <div class="verse indent-2">And listen fondly, while the blackbird sings.</div> <div class="verse ar">&mdash;<i>Frederick Tennyson.</i></div> </div></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</SPAN></span></p> <table class="sp2 mc w50 p2" title="YELLOW-HEADED BLACK BIRD."> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="3"><span class="ac w100 figcenter"> <SPAN name="i_040.jpg" id="i_040.jpg"> <ANTIMG style="width:100%" src="images/i_040.jpg" alt="" /></SPAN></span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xx-smaller ac w30">FROM COL. F. NUSSBAUMER &amp; SON.<br/> A. W. MUMFORD, PUBLISHER, CHICAGO.</td> <td class="x-smaller ac w40">YELLOW-HEADED BLACK BIRD.<br/> &#8532; Life-size.</td> <td class="xx-smaller ac w30">COPYRIGHT 1900, BY<br/> NATURE STUDY PUB. CO., CHICAGO.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />