Open Nests in Marshes, Reeds, and Saw-Grass 
Breeding Range—Throughout the Eastern States, from Florida 
northward. 
The nest varies greatly both in its construction and situation; 
usually of weeds and coarse grasses, lined with hair, placed in a 
large tussock of grass, cat-tails, or reeds; very oftenin alders and 
sometimes in wild rose or other bushes, generally within four 
or five feet of the ground though occasionally it is placed at a 
much greater height. 
Most nests are about three inches deep inside, but some that 
are built like the orchard oriole’s are much deeper. 
The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, are very pale greenish blue or 
pearly white, with either blotches or scrawls of dark purplish 
brown, faint cloudy blotches of dull purple brown, and spots of 
black. Some few eggs have no distinct markings, only faint 
cloudy blotches of purplish brown. Size—1.00 x .75. See Fig. 
6, Plate C. 
These common but strikingly coloured birds may be found 
during the breeding season in almost any swampy place where 
there is a river or pond nearby. In the neighbourhood of New 
York they begin nesting about the first week in May, and lay 
two sets of eggs, the second set being laid towards the end of 
June. Ihave found these nests in a wild rose bush, hung over 
and within twenty-one inches of the water, resembling in con- 
struction the nest of the orchard oriole, but much more 
roughly made. 
498b. Florida Redwing: A. p. bryanti Ridgw. 
A small sub-species of the Red-winged Blackbird found in 
Florida. 
The breeding habits and eggs of this bird are described as 
identical with those of the more northern variety. 
584. Swamp Sparrow: Melospiza georgiana (Lath.) 
Eggs white or whitish, broadly blotched with reddish brown 
or chocolate. 
See Page 63, Chapter II. 
78 
