brown nests of ivy?? It is the largest house on the block, and the only one that is circled by a high stone wall. An iron gate, hung with brown nests of ivy, give a partial view of the front path and a tiny brown yard, churned mostly to mud. I would like to know what does "brown ivy" here mean? the ivy is in brown color? And what does " brown yard" mean? Because the yard is mostly covered with mud,so it is brown?? Thanks.