508 DAN BEARD'S ANIMAL BOOK 



the salty sedges inhabited by the marsh wrens. 

 Among them may be seen the brilliantly decorated 



RED-WING OR SWAMP BLACKBIRD. 



The lustrous black plumage of the male bird shines 

 in the sun, giving out greenish metallic reflections. 

 Its shoulders and lesser wing coverts are orna- 

 mented with crimson epaulets, giving it a very 

 martial and rich appearance, in strong contrast with 

 the modest brown plumage of its friend and neigh- 

 bor the marsh wren. 



On Flushing salt meadows was discovered 

 another two-story nest. This time both nests bore 

 unmistakable evidence of being inhabited. The 

 lower compartment, from its peculiar spherical 

 form and the reeds and cat-tail cotton of which it 

 is composed, would be at once recognized as 



THE NEST OF THE MARSH WREN, 



even if it did not contain the little chocolate-colored 

 eggs of that bird. The upper nest is cup-shaped, 

 three inches inside depth and diameter. The out- 

 side is made of coarse straw and fibers, and the 

 inside lined with fine grass. A single glance suf- 

 fices to prove it to be 



THE NEST OF A SWAMP BLACKBIRD. 



Two bluish-green eggs, with strange hieroglyphic 

 markings on the end, occupy the upper floor, 

 and three little brown eggs are hidden in the lower 



