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Range (Eastern North America breeds) (XIII)

Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf of Mexico to New Brunswick and Manitoba, and winters from Virginia southward. Washington, common P. R., abundant in migrations. Sing Sing, common S. R., Feb. 25 to Nov. 11. Cambridge, abundant S. R., Mch. to Aug.; a few winter.

Nest, of coarse grasses, weed stalks, etc., lined with finer grasses and rootlets, attached to low bushes or reeds. Eggs, three to five, pale blue, singularly streaked, spotted, or scrawled with dark purple or black, chiefly at the larger end, 1.04 x 72.

A swiftly moving, compact band of silent birds, passing low through the brown orchard, suddenly wheels and, alighting among the bare branches, with the precision of a trained choir breaks into a wild, tinkling glee. It is quite possible that in the summer this rude chorus might fail to awaken enthusiasm, but in the spring it is as welcome and inspiring a promise of the new year as the peeping of frogs or blooming of the first wild flower.

Plain, streaked Mrs. Redwing, who has been spending the winter in flocks composed only of others of her sex, soon appears, but mating is delayed until late April or early May. Then we find the old homes in the wet meadows and marshes occupied by apparently the same birds which have dwelt there for years.

Mounting the topmost branch of a tree not far from the nest, the male becomes an ever-vigilant sentinel. His rich "kong-quěr-rēē,” which by association is so strongly suggestive of reedy marshes, is a signal that "all's well." He challenges all suspicious characters by an inquiring chut, chuck, and with a long, shrill alarm-note, chee-e-e-e-e, circles out on fluttering wings, his gorgeous crimson epaulets showing conspicuously. MEADOWLARK.

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC.

The nesting season is a short one, and in July young and old begin to gather in flocks in the marshes, where later they will be found, in countless numbers, feeding on the wild rice. 498b. A. p. bryanti Ridgw. FLORIDA REDWING.-Similar to the preceding, but smaller, the bill much more slender; with the under parts less broadly streaked with black. W., 3.70; T., 3.50; B., 90; depth of bill at nostril, 35.