Plate V. 



AGEL/EUS PHCENICEUS-Red'wnged Blackbird. 



The Recl-wiiiged Blackbird arrives in Ohio about the first of March; nest-building begins the last 

 of A2:)ril or the first of May ; two broods are often raised during the season. In the fall they fly about 

 over the marshes in large flocks, prolonging their stay in favorable seasons far into December, and a few 

 may even remain during the winter. 



LOCALITY: 



The early nests are built among the dried stems of the various reeds and water-plants so abundant 

 along canal basins, ponds, and natural streams ; the later ones, in the branches of alders, willows, and 

 other bushes and trees about swamps or in damp woods, and in clusters of weeds and briers in springy 

 meadows. 



POSITION: 



When a tree or bush is the chosen site, the nest is generally situated in a perpendicular fork, or is 

 suspended between two or more small perpendicular branches, and is seldom more than ten feet above 

 the ground. When built in reeds, the structure is Avoven between a number of blades, as figured in 

 the plate, and often within a foAv inches of the surrounding water. 



When built upon the gi'ound, a little mound or tussock covered with the dried vegetation of the 

 previous year is selected; no attempt is made at concealment. By far the greater number of nests are 

 in the last two joositions. 



MATERIALS : 



The materials of construction are dried grasses, strips of fibres from flags and weeds, round grass, 

 and sometimes pieces of mud and a few horse haii^s. The long grasses make up the bulk of the struc- 

 ture, and in nests suspended in reeds, bushes, or trees, they are woven firmly and elegantly about the 

 points of support, and entwined among themselves ; but in those situated in stout forks or upon the 

 ground, such skill and precaution in weaving are unnecessary or impracticable. 



The grasses forming the superstructure are well soaked in water, generally muddy, before they are 

 placed in position ; when dry they make a solid and compact shell, which can be dissected from the 

 nest without injury; in shape it is like the pointed half of an egg-shell, and is from a quarter to five- 

 eighths of an inch thick at the bottom, gradually becoming thinner as the rim is approached. The lin- 

 ing is composed of round grass, and sometimes a few horse hairs. 



Position has great influence on the shape ;* nests upon the ground are shallow, while those in other 

 positions may be six or even eight inches^ deep. The average of ten specimens taken from trees and 

 rushes is : outside diameter, five inches ; inside diameter, three inches ; outside depth, four and one-half 

 inches ; inside depth, two and one-half inches. 



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