50 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 



serve the regularity and concert of action which governs 

 the movements of the splendidly uniformed birds. 



The redwings are among the earliest of our vernal visit- 

 ors, and south of the Ohio River and Washington may be 

 found all through the winter. Their loud and rollicking 

 spring note is one of the most invigorating sounds in nature, 

 and most typical of the reviving year. Conk-quiree! conk- 

 quiree! sings out the male, as though he knew a good story 

 if only he had a mind to tell it ; and then adds cliuck ! as 

 though he thought it of no use to try to interest you in it, 

 and that he had been indiscreet in betraying an enthusiasm 

 beneath his dignity over a matter beyond your appreciation. 

 His plain brown mate immediately says chuck ! too, quite 

 agreeing with her lord and master that it is not best to 

 waste their confidence upon you. 



The centre of all their interest is the compact, tight bas- 

 ket woven of wet grass-blades and split rush-leaves which is. 

 supported among the reeds or rests on a tussock of wire- 

 grass surrounded by water. It is a model nest, and they 

 understand so well the labor it cost that they are mightily 

 jealous of harm coming to it. The eggs are five in num- 

 ber, of a faded blue tint, marbled, streaked and spotted 

 with leather-color and black, in shape rather elongated and 

 pointed. The fledglings are abroad about the 1st of June, 



