MOCKERS AND SCOLDERS 



151 



"He chooses a bunch of 

 reeds, or a bush that is sur- 

 rounded either by water or 

 the treacherous green grass 

 of bogs, and there weaves an 

 oblong or globular nest from 

 coarse grass and leaves, with 

 a little hole on one side for a 

 door. This done, he goes to 

 a short distance and appoints 

 himself day watchman to his 

 home. If a footstep touches 

 the grass ever so lightly, he 

 tells his mate of it and they 

 flit off ; and if any one thinks 

 that by folloAving the birds 

 they will find the nest, they 

 will be very much disap- 

 pointed. Mr. and ]\Irs. Long- 

 bill will lead them a will-o'- 

 the-wisp dance ; and when the House People are tired, 

 bewildered, and very wet in the shoes, the clever birds 

 will return home by a secret way, chuckling to them- 

 selves. You will know this little bird by his nervous 

 Wren-like ways and jerking tail, even if you are not 

 near enough to see his markings and long curving 

 bill." 



" But there are no marsh}^ places near the Farm, so 

 I'm afraid we shall never see him, except in the wonder 

 room," said Nat. 



" By and by wlien we go to the beach, where our 

 river meets the sea, I will show you some nests. I 



Long-billed Marsh Wren. 



