Semipalmated Plover (_Charadrius semipalmatus_) Resembles Piping Plover but is darker brown Black ring on neck Tail is dark, with white edges [Illustration: Black-bellied Plover] Black-bellied Plover (_Squatarola squatarola_) About Robin size Tail and rump are white Named for its spring color patterns [Illustration: Greater Yellowlegs] Greater Yellowlegs (_Totanus melanoleucus_) A large Sandpiper with bright yellow legs Tail and rump are white In flight, body appears light, wings dark [Illustration: Sanderling] Sanderling (_Crocethia alba_) Legs and bill are black White stripe across wing Body is brown or gray color [Illustration: Semipalmated Sandpiper] Semipalmated Sandpiper (_Ereunetes pusillus_) Very tiny sandpiper Stout bill Blackish legs BIRDS OF THE SWAMPY AREAS [Illustration: Redwinged Blackbird] Redwinged Blackbird (_Agelaius phoeniceus_) Male is black, with red shoulder patches Female is a brown, uninteresting bird The male Redwing is familiar to everyone. His beautiful black plumage with red shoulder bars allows a rapid identification. He is usually seen flitting about over a marsh attempting to attract the attention of some admiring female. The nest is built in a shrub on the marsh in late May or June. Ordinarily it is well concealed, and often the only indication of its existence is the loud scolding of the anxious parents when intruders approach. [Illustration: Black Duck] Black Duck (_Anas rubripes_) In flight: A dark duck with silvery underwings On water: Light brown with a yellow bill Bright red feet This heavily hunted waterfowl continues to breed even in well-populated areas. Its nest is found here on the edges of the many fresh-water pools that dot the Neck in association with the swamps. About nine white or buff-colored eggs are produced in May. After nesting, these ducks may still be seen feeding on submerged plants. They obtain their meal in a crazy “dabbling” fashion, standing on their heads so that only the tail protrudes above the surface. [Illustration: Black-crowned Night Heron] Black-crowned Night Heron (_Nycticorax nycticorax_) White breast, black on back and on crown of head About Herring Gull size Long, wading legs Although most active at night, these herons may be seen throughout the day resting or feeding. They wade about in both the fresh and salt marshes in search of fish or crustaceans, which they seize with their long bills. This heron nests only rarely, if ever, on the Neck now, but thirty years ago great rookeries were found here. These birds are still to be found on the Neck in fair numbers even though man’s invasion of the area has reduced its desirability as a nesting place. [Illustration: Marsh Hawk] Marsh Hawk (_Circus cyaneus_) Males gray; females brown Medium-sized hawk Always with an obvious white rump