EGGS: 



The complement of eggs is from three to six, they are deposited daily or every other day, and are 

 incubated in fourteen days. The ground-color is light bluCj marked with irregular blotches, lines, and 

 dots of dark brown or black, which incline to congregate about the crown. Deep shell-markings have a 

 muddy brown appearance. 



Exceptional specimens are plain blue, or have only an occasional dot or blotch of black, either uj^on 

 or below the surface. 



The average size of thirty eggs is .96x,70; lai'gest, 1.04 x. 73; smallcstj .80 x .66. 



DIFFEEENTIAL POOTTS : 



The normal nest should be at once recognized from the description, as it is similar to no other bird- 

 structure in the state. Its resemblance to the nest of the Crow Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, or ]\Iarsh 

 Wren, is too distant to need more than mention. The normal eggs are in general appearance, like 

 those of the CroAv Blackbird, but smaller. 



KEMAEKS : 



The nest illustrated was taken on the 10th of May, 1877, from a swamp in Pickaw^ay county. It 

 is of the average size, and composed principally of dried grasses and strips of flag leaves, lined with 

 round grass and a few black horse hairs. The eggs hgured Avere selected from a large number, and 

 represent the average and extremes in size and markings. The coloring is done from freshly blown 

 sj)ecimens. 



In late spring or early summer, if a spot selected by the Redwings as a breeding-place is in- 

 vaded, it is extremely interesting to watch the movements of the disturbed community. As you en- 

 ter the swamp, little by little, forcing a way with difficulty through the dead stalks of rushes and 

 sticky mud, several males that have been watching the advance from some neighboring bush, becom- 

 ing alarmed for the safety of their homes, commence a series of plaintive cries, and mounting the 

 air fly in circles above your head. This signals the whole marsh, reinforcements gather in from 

 every quarter, and now, where a few minutes before nothing could be heard but an occasional con- 

 tented cluck, comes a perfect chorus of voices; a few steps more, and a modest-hued female flutters 

 from her eggs near by, and with despairing calls joins her brilliantly-attired companion, amid re- 

 newed screams and gyrations on the part of the assembled birds. 



Followed by this pleading crowd, the search for the nest begins; large and conspicuous as it 

 seems, it is by no moans easy to find, as the color harmonizes perfectly with the dead reeds in which 

 it is built. But fiucxlly having discovered it, most probably by accident, and secured the prize, you 

 commence to retrace your steps. Having thus learned where the desired object is to be found, tlic 

 eye now sees them where on your entrance tliey were looked for in vain ; perhaps, some even over- 

 turned in the path of advance. All this time the Starlings accompany you, and a pair braver than 

 their companions, may even venture an attack, as they see their hard-earned home carried off by a 

 ruthless foreigner. 



The young birds, to which the parents are, if possible, more attached than to their nests and 

 eggs, are very easily tamed, and endure captivity well, forming strong attachments to those who care 

 for them. One Avhich I owned some years ago, became so domesticated that he was permitted dur- 

 ing the day to enjoy his freedom. At such times, he would wander about the town, flying from roof 

 to roof, picking up such eatables as ho could find. He would always return at the call of his 

 name; or at times recognizing my voice, would unexpectedly light upon my shoulder. 



50 



