Open Nests in Marshes, Reeds, and Saw-Orass 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States, from Florida 

 northward. 



The nest varies greatly both in its construction and situation; 

 usually of weeds and coarse grasses, lined with hair, placed in a 

 large tussock of grass, cat-tails, or reeds ; very often in alders and 

 sometimes in wild rose or other bushes, generally within four 

 or five feet of the ground though occasionally it is placed at a 

 much greater height. 



Most nests are about three inches deep inside, but some that 

 are built like the orchard oriole's are much deeper. 



The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, are very pale greenish blue or 

 pearly white, with either blotches or scrawls of dark purplish 

 brown, faint cloudy blotches of dull purple brown, and spots of 

 black. Some few eggs have no distinct markings, only faint 

 cloudy blotches of purplish brown. Size— i. 00 x .75. See Fig. 

 6, Plate C. 



These common but strikingly coloured birds may be found 

 during the breeding season in almost any swampy place where 

 there is a river or pond nearby. In the neighbourhood of New 

 York they begin nesting about the first week in May, and lay 

 two sets of eggs, the second set being laid towards the end of 

 June. I have found these nests in a wild rose bush, hung ovei 

 and within twenty-one inches of the water, resembling in con- 

 struction the nest of the orchard oriole, but much more 

 roughly made. 



498b. Florida Redwing: A. p. bryanti Ridgw. 



A small sub-species of the Red-winged Blackbird found in 

 Florida. 



The breeding habits and eggs of this bird are described as 

 identical with those of the more northern variety. 



584. Swamp Sparrow : Melospiza georgiana (Lath.) 



Eggs white or whitish, broadly blotched with reddish brown 

 or chocolate. 



See Page 63, Chapter 11. 

 78 



