RUFOUS-HEADED MARSH-BIRD 119 



The long whistling note above mentioned is their 

 only song, but it varies considerably, and often 

 sounds as mellow and sweet as the whistle of the 

 European Blackbird. 



The nest is an ingenious structure of dry grasses, 

 fastened to the upright stems of an aquatic plant, 

 three or four feet above the water. The eggs are 

 four, in size and form like those of the English Song- 

 Thrush, spotted somewhat sparsely with black on a 

 light blue ground. 



The young birds are entirely black at first, and 

 afterwards assume on the head and neck a pale terra- 

 cotta red, which gradually deepens to vivid scarlet. 



RUFOUS-HEADED MARSH-BIRD 



Agelxus ruficapillus 



Glossy blue-black ; crown and middle of throat deep chestnut-red ; 

 bill and legs black ; length 7.5 inches. 



THE sexes are alike in this species : the crown of 

 the head is rufous, and with this exception the whole 

 plumage is a rich glossy blue-black. The beauty of 

 the bird and its delicate plaintive voice would no 

 doubt make it a favourite with man if he saw more 

 of it, only it lives and breeds in marshes and does 

 not come near his habitations. The Rufous-heads 

 are gregarious and migratory. The flock can scarcely 

 be said to break up in the breeding-season, as the 



