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and great flocks of Rusty Blackbirds and Bronzed Grackles gathered to feed on this waste grain. With them were many meadowlarks that seemed to be in search of the same food. At De Witt and Gillett the fields were bare of snow and although many blackbirds were observed feeding in the roads this habit was not so universal as at Stuttgart. However it was noted that the meadowlarks still frequented the roadways in large numbers. Save in one instance no complaint was made against the meadowlark as a destroyer of rice during the present inquiry, and in that one case evidence was not certain.

On December 17 the Rusty Blackbird was found near Stuttgart in large flocks. It was estimated that between 30,000 and 40,000 of these birds were seen on this date. The birds were very common farther south also and large numbers were seen each day. Near Stuttgart between 10,000 and 15,000 Bronzed Grackles were seen also on December 17 and large numbers were present near De Witt. The Cowbird was less abundant but large numbers of Redwings were noted. At Dewitt it was noted that the Blackbirds seemed to have a roost somewhere east of town as on December 20 and 22 [[strikethrough]]it was noticed that[[/strikethrough]] flocks were passing constantly toward the west and southwest between seven thirty and eleven in the morning. The greater ^[[part]] of the birds observed were Rusty Blackbirds with many Bronzed Grackles and a few Redwings accompanying them. All were flying steadily at an altitude varying from 100 to 300 feet above the earth. Many congregated about the stacks where the rice had been threshed. After midday flocks gathered in willows and other tree growth growing about pools where the birds rested during digestion of the food contained in their crops.

Some of the farmers questioned stated that it was a decided advan-