72. Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



ever, that may or may not suggest a plausible theory is that a few 

 years ago the Health Department caused to be drained the salt 

 meadows that had formerly been the natural nesting grounds of 

 the redwings. The ditching of these places and the resulting 

 dryness of sections that had previously been covered by several 

 inches of water, made it possible for crows to alight and walk 



Daisy field where redwings nest. 



where they pleased on the marshes ; and on not a few occasions 

 I have found redwings' nests with linings disheveled and eggs 

 gone. In a few instances the footprints of the marauders could 

 be seen in impressionable mud near by. 



It would seem, then, that although the redwing returns each 

 year to the same general locality, he is gradually adopting an 

 entirely different environment in that locality for his nesting site. 



