83 



between eight and ten, they have been observed leaving the 

 marsh for the day. The resident birds generally delay their 

 departure in the morning until practically all of the migrating 

 birds have left. In like manner they return in the afternoon 

 before the migrating individuals arrive. As the season ad- 

 vances, the time spent on the uplands becomes shorter, until 

 by the middle of April, when the first of the resident females 

 appear, these resident males are spending the entire day in 

 the marsh. From their first arrival, they assume all rights to 

 the domain in which they have estabUshed themselves. Fre- 

 quently these domains adjoin one another closely, but the 

 birds seldom trespass on one another's rights. When they 

 do so, they seem to recognize the owner's prerogative, so that 

 serious quarrels never ensue. 



A consideration of their food at this season (see page 120) 

 shows that it partakes of both a marsh and an upland char- 

 acter. Of the marsh food (Plate XVIII, fig. 2) there is no 

 great variety, for insects are still scarce and in the open marsh 

 there are no available seeds whatosever. 



At the time of the arrival of these resident birds, the level 

 of the water in the marsh has fallen considerably, and the 

 Inlet no longer overflows its banks. The vegetation has 

 started its growth, but is not yet visible above the surface of 

 the water. The Pike are at the height of their spawning 

 season, and the Spotted Salamander, Wood Frog, and Leopard 

 Frog are depositing their eggs. 



Arrival of migrant females and immature males. — The resident 

 males have been at their stations but a few days before the first 

 females and immature males appear among the migrating 

 flocks, for the last days of March and first of April usually 

 usher them in. The first females recorded are generally single 

 birds traveling in company with the adult and immature males. 

 At this time the males pay no attention to them. Many Cow- 

 birds, Bronzed Grackles, and Rusty Blackbirds are now 

 mingled in the flocks of Redwings, as each species has been, 

 more or less, since its first appearance. Within a few days, 

 as their numbers increase, small flocks made up entirely of 

 females are observed. It is about this time — the end of the 



