120 BIRDS OF Lg PLATA 
birds all make their nests near together in the reeds. 
The nest is placed about one or two feet above the 
water, is about six inches in depth, and made of 
leaves and aquatic grasses woven together. The eggs 
are four, pointed, with a white or pale bluish ground, 
and spotted with black at the larger end. 
The song of the Red-head is quite unique in 
character. It begins with a low, hollow-sounding 
note, then the voice changes to a clear, plaintive 
tone, rising in a rapid succession of short notes, 
then falling again at the end. 
After the breeding-season the birds fly about in 
flocks of two or three hundred individuals, and sing 
in concert on the trees. 
Their chirp has a peculiar metallic sound, and can 
be imitated by tapping on the edge of a copper bell 
with the finger-nail. 
RED-BREASTED MARSH-BIRD 
Leistes superciliaris 
Brownish black ; superciliaries pale brown; bend of the wing and 
body beneath from chin to middle of the belly deep scarlet ; bill and 
legs black ; length 7 inches. Female pale brown, variegated with black, 
faintly touched with red on the breast. 
THE most interesting point concerning this species 
is the very great difference in habits, as well as 
appearance, existing between the sexes. In form it 
resembles the Starling of Europe, but is a trifle 
