During the summer this handsome bird of prey is a familiar sight soaring close to the ground over all large marshy areas. In flight it holds its wings at an angle over its back, rather than parallel to the ground as do most hawks. It mates for life, bringing forth a brood of young once each summer. The nest is quite un-hawk-like, located on the ground and constructed of tall grasses. The Marsh Hawk leaves the area and migrates southward sometime in early September. BIRDS OF THE FIELDS AND WOODED AREAS [Illustration: Rufous-sided Towhee] Rufous-sided Towhee (_Pipilo erythrophthalmus_) Underside white, orange on sides Tail is long, dark, with white corners About size and shape of a Robin Towhees are more often heard than seen. Their loud scratching noise in the underbrush frequently frightens hikers. If disturbed, they will run on the ground to a place of safety. Their song is very distinctive and has been said to sound like “Drink your tea” with the _tea_ ending extended, or “You and meeeee.” The Towhee generally breeds twice every summer, building its nest in a small shrub or on the ground. This nest is usually as difficult to discover as the bird itself. [Illustration: Tree Swallow] Tree Swallow (_Iridoprocne bicolor_) White throat and stomach Blue-green back and head Crescent-shaped wings, notched tail Usually seen winging low over water, the Tree Swallow serves to clean the air of water-loving insects. These swallows appear on the Neck in great numbers during the fall, when the scarcity of insects changes their diet to Bayberries. Tree Swallows are among the last birds to migrate in the fall and always the first to return the following spring. Their nests are occasionally discovered in a hollow tree during May or June, but these little birds will readily accept a bird house in lieu of a hollow tree. [Illustration: Eastern Kingbird] Eastern Kingbird (_Tyrannus tyrannus_) Appears gray at a distance Square black tail with conspicuous white tip Infrequently, one sees a Hawk being attacked in flight by a much smaller bird. This little ball of courage is likely to be the Kingbird. Because of its swiftness in flight, the Kingbird is an able fly catcher and feeds on flies regularly. It builds a nest on the Neck, usually high in a tree, affording it a good lookout post. Watch for this nest in June. [Illustration: Brown Thrasher] Brown Thrasher (_Toxostoma rufum_) Brown bird with light breast covered with dark streaks Long curved bill; very long tail