MARSH BLACKBIRD. 349 



procure by searching with great industry, in the meadows, the orchards, 

 or the newly ploughed fields, walking with a graceful step, but much 

 quicker than either of their relatives, the Purple Grakle or the Boat-tail 

 of the Southern States. The millions of insects which the Red-wings 

 destroy at this early season, are, in my opinion, a full equivalent for the 

 com which they eat at another period ; and for this reason, the farmers 

 do not molest thein in spring, when they resort to the fields in immense 

 numbers. They then follow the ploughman, in company with the Crow 

 Blackbird, and as if aware of the benefit which they are conferring, do 

 not seem to regard him with apprehension. 



The females being all arrived, the pairing season at once commences. 

 Several males are seen flying in pursuit of one, until, becoming fatigued, 

 she alights, receives the addresses of her suitors, and soon makes a choice 

 that establishes her the consort of one of them. The " happy couple" 

 immediately retire from the view of the crowds around them, and seek 

 along the margins of some sequestered pond or damp meadow, for a 

 place in wliich to form their nest. An Alder bush or a thick tuft of 

 rank weeds answer equally well, and in such places a quantity of coarse 

 dried weeds is deposited by them, to form the exterior of the fabric which 

 is to receive the eggs. The nest is lined with fine grasses, and, in some 

 instances, with horse-hair. The eggs are from four to six in number, of 

 a regular oval form, light blue, sparsely spotted with dusky. 



Now is the time, good-natured reader, to see and admire the courage 

 and fidelity of the male, whilst assiduously watching over his beloved 

 mate. He dives headlong towards every intruder that approaches his 

 nest, vociferating his fears and maledictions with great vehemence, pass- 

 ing at times within a few yards of the person who has disturbed his peace, 

 or alighting on a twig close to his nest, and uttering a plaintive note, 

 which might well prevent any other than a mischievous person from in- 

 terfering with the hopes and happiness of the mated Redwings. 



The eggs are hatched, and the first brood has taken flight. The 

 young soon after associate with thousands of other striplings, and shift 

 for themselves, whilst the parent birds raise a second family. The first 

 brood comes abroad about the beginning of June, the second in the be^ 

 ginning of August. At this latter period, the corn in the Middle Dis- 

 tricts has already acquired considerable consistence, and the congregated 

 Redwings fall upon the fields in such astonishing numbers as to seem 

 capable of completely veiHng them under the shade of their wings. The 



