Ardetta exilis [male]. Nests of M. palustris [Melospiza palustris]
1875. Middlesex Co., Mass. [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
June 10 [June 10, 1875] The first two contained five young each,
all nearly able to fly. In one nest however
four out of the five were cold and stiff -
killed by the rain, while the sole survivor
sat on top of the mortal heap and chirped
loudly for food. The other two nests contained
4 & 5 eggs respectively all perfectly fresh.
These latter were evidently second nests of
the two that I robbed May 27th & June 1st
(nests ("B/5") and "D/5") as they were placed within 
20 yds [yards] of the original sites. The first was
built on the tip of a tussock the other
under a canopy of dry grasses. Found also
a nest of G. trichas [Geothlypis trichas] with 4 nearly fresh eggs.
It was raised above the water to the height
of about 12 inch [inches] and supported between the
stems of a small bush. While wading about
in this swamp a fine adult [male] Ardetta exilis
started from the top of a water willow where
he had been sitting and flying a few rods
lit again in a tall bush: as I cautiously
approached him he peered at me with
outstretched neck and walked out along
the branch a few steps exactly as I have
seen the green heron do; finally getting
within long range I shot him dead with
the Stevens pistol. His stomach was
entirely empty, the testes at the maximum
state of development. I have little doubt
but that he was the mate of the [female] I shot
on the 27th ult. [May 27, 1875] Here I also came across
a pair of Rallus Vir. [Rallus virginianus] that were accompanied
by a brood of young. Both the
old birds were very bold coming
up within ten feet of me and