472 LAND BIRDS 
necessary to resist the force of wind and wave. The 
newly hatched young Red-wings are just the color of a 
ripe apricot, and entirely naked. In a few days dark 
lines of embryonic pinfeathers show along each side of 
the spine and the edge of the 
_ wings; then a soft grayish down 
covers throat, breast, and top of 
head. By and by brown 
feathers push out through 
the quills, and the promise 
of a tailappears. The eyes 
open, the skin grows darker, chang- 
ing to greenish gray on the fore- 
head, which remains entirely bare 
even after they are fully feathered. 
When twelve days old the nest- 
lings begin to stand up after the 
manner of young birds, stretch legs 
and wings, and tease for food with coaxing 
chirps. And now the father, who has been 
\ a proud spectator of their progress 
498e. SAN Dirco Rep- as well as a constant attendant on 
A Sirs is anc their wants, has to work harder 
than ever. Water bugs of all 
sorts, especially the tiny black beetles that squirm by 
hundreds on the surface, dragonflies and butterflies, hair- 
** A spirit of reckless daring.” 
less caterpillars and fat slugs are popped into the ever- 
open mouths of those hungry nestlings. The feeding 
by regurgitation ceases when the young are four days 
old. 
