222 Cincinnati Society of Natural Ilistory. 



Family TROGLODYTiDiE : Wrens. 



9. Troylodytes domesticus, Coues. — House Wren. — Breeds. {Por- 

 ter. ) 



10. Telmatodytes pall'Stris, Baircl. — Long -billed 3Iarsh Wren. — 

 An abundant species, its livel}^ grasshopper-like notes resounding on 

 all sides in the marsh. The nests, which are more or less globular or 

 ovoid in shape, are neatly constructed of saw-grass, dried moss and 

 bulrushes, and suspended from one to three feet above the water in a 

 clump of flags or saw-grass. The entrance is at one side, and well con- 

 cealed from view in the occupied nests. Five eggs appear to constitute 

 a full set, although we took sets of four that were slightly incubated; 

 and while most of those taken were fresh, or nearly so, a few sets were 

 far advanced in incubation. (July 2d.) 



Man}^ empty nests of this species were found, at least two or three 

 nests being observed to each pair of birds. In many cases the con- 

 spicuous situation of these supernumary nests, and the well concealed 

 one of the occupied ne^t near b}^ would seem to favor the supposition 

 that the empt}^ structures were decoj' nests, built to deceive enemies; 

 as the Wrens appear to be seldom disturbed however, this hypothesis 

 can hardly be entertained. It seems more likely that they may be in- 

 tended for lodging-places for the males and the first brood of young, or 

 else are simply the result of that intense over-activity which seems to 

 characterize the wholeWren family, and shows itself in our Carolina and 

 House Wrens by their habit of almost invariably filling the cavity in 

 which they nest, no matter how large it may be. 



We noticed a marked difference in compactness of structure between 

 the supernumary and the occupied nests, the- former being invaiiably 

 water-soaked after a hard rain, while the latter remained perfectly dry 

 to the touch inside. 



Famih' Sylyicolid.e : American Warblers. 



11. Dendrceca estiva, Baird. — Yellow Warbler. — A very common 

 species in the willows bordering the marsh; young of the first brood 

 observed on the wing. 



12. SiuRUS N.EVIUS, Coues. — Small-billed Water Thrush. — One speci- 

 men only observed; so close that there could be no question as to its 

 identity. 



13. Geothlypis trichas, C^\)2im^.— Maryland Yelloiv - throat. — 

 Rather common, though not so abundant as would be expected consid- 

 ering the adaptation of the locality to its habits. 



