NESTLINGS. OF FOREST AND MARSH 
angry chucks on our approach, his protests 
vigorously seconded by the mother. 
But we were curious and therefore merci- 
less ; besides, was it not in the so-called inter- 
est of science? We 
J pushed cautiously up 
Na and looked in, — 
p44) only two babies yet. 
They were pretty 
SiH) little things, though 
Pie) so naked, for body, 
ag beak, and legs were 
just the color of a 
we tipe apricot. In a 
ma) | few days dark lines 
sot embryonic pin- 
Young red-wing blackbirds in nest 
feathers showed 
down each side of the spine and the edge of 
the wing; then a soft brown down covered 
the throat, breast, and top of the head. By 
and by brown feathers pushed out through 
the quills, and evidences of a tail became 
more patent. The eyes opened and the 
skin grew darker, changing to greenish gray 
48 
