160 BIRDS 



nest-building material is used while wet. As it contracts 

 in drying, the structure is firmly anchored to the up- 

 rights. This insures safety for the young birds. 



To illustrate the use of the umbrella tent in photo- 

 graphing and observing birds at close range, I shall de- 

 tail at some length the experience I had in picturing the 

 Bed- winged Blackbirds. (Fig. 80.) 



When I discovered this colony of nesting Red-wings, 

 in a swamp near a fresh-water bathing-beach, the birds 

 were in the height of nest-building. It was on the tenth 

 of August. I made frequent visits to the settlement, 

 for several weeks, and during that time I observed them 

 from the date of corner-stone laying to that of the break- 

 ing of the home ties of the young. I made no effort at a 

 close approach to the birds while they were at their work, 

 until the incubating period was established; then I set 

 up my tent within a few feet of a typical nest, and from 

 day to day made close observations and many notes on 

 the habits of the old birds. I have never spent a more 

 interesting time at any nest-site than in that little swamp, 

 up to my knees in water, cooped up in August, with per- 

 spiration streaming from every pore, yet with concen- 

 trated enthusiasm thrilling every nerve fibre. The un- 

 pleasant features were soon forgotten after entering 

 the tent. 



When I first erected the tent within two feet of the 

 nest and returned to the edge of the swamp only a few 

 yards away for my photographic outfit, the male bird 

 that had been persistently flying about my head while I 

 was putting up the tent started to follow me, but instead 

 returned to the tent and began attacking it with all of the 

 rage of a demon in feathers. Alighting on top, he would 

 run about all over it, pecking at every crease and edge, 

 then fly away ten feet and return to renew the assault 

 with increasing rage, screaming with all his might. 

 When I returned and entered the tent his temper was 

 furious and the canvass was bombarded with feet and 

 beak. 



During this time the female did not approach the 

 nest. But ten minutes afterward the male, from a nearby 

 perch, began assuring the female that all was well, but 

 that she must approach cautiously. With his '*kank- 

 quer-ree" assurance she flew to the nest and renewed her 



