88 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS. 



aperture is located near the top, and in some 

 specimens is almost entirely hidden by the en- 

 veloping sedges, which at this point are closely 

 arranged. On entering, the sedges are pushed 

 aside, and carefully re-adjusted when the bird is 

 once in the nest. On retiring therefrom, the 



o 



modus opcrandi is analogous. 



Exteriorly, the nest is constituted of the foliar 

 appendages of Scirpus maritimus ; interiorly, of 

 the leaves of grasses of remarkable fineness; the 

 dermis of weeds in broad patches; and over all, 

 a mixture of soft feathers and wool. 



While most of the nests we have examined, 

 correspond in the main with the above description, 

 we have noticed occasional exceptions. A nest 

 in our collection bears a very close resemblance 

 to that of Gcothlypis trickas, in being nearly oven- 

 shape. The opening occupies the anterior aspect, 

 and has a breadth of two inches. The materials 

 which enter into its composition, vary but little on 

 the exterior from the typical form, but, within, they 

 consist of fine grasses and silk-like threads of 

 vegetable origin. The peculiar shape of the nest 

 leads us to infer the character of its site which we 

 have reason to believe was a cavity in the earth, 

 perhaps, at the base of a clump of grasses. 



The flight of this Wren is ordinarily low and 

 but slightly sustained; having much in common 

 with the other members of its family. 



Its food consists of the larvae of aquatic insects 

 which are found abundantly in its natural haunts; 



