620 IIISTOIIY OF THE 



outer surface of tertials, and tail feathers, which are almost black; the first with 

 a median patch like the ground color; the second with short streaks of white, 

 extending round on the sides of the neck; the third indented with brown; the 

 fourth barred with whitish, decreasing in amount from the outer feather, which 

 is marked from the base to the fifth, where it is confined to the tips; the two 

 middle feathers above like the back, and barred throughout with dusky. Be- 

 neath, rather pure white, the sides and under tail coverts of a lighter shade of 

 brown than the back; a white streak over the eye." 



Iris dark brown; bill dusky, under pale at base; legs pale 

 brown; feet and claws brown. 



This species makes its home in the rank growths of wild rice, 

 reeds, cat tails and rushes bordering ponds and sloughs; differ- 

 ing in this respect from its cousin, the Short-billed, that prefers 

 the marshes and moist meadow lands. In the early settlement 

 of Wisconsin, I had a good opportunity to observe the habits of 

 these birds on the bogs and in the wild rice and rushes, etc., 

 growing in the lower half of Pewaukee Lake, a favorite resort 

 and breeding place at that time for the water fowls and birds 

 that frequent such places. Brother and I knew their haunts 

 well, but few escaping our notice as we silently paddled our 

 light log canoe through the thick growths and openings, haul- 

 ing it over the bogs and where the water was too shallow to float 

 us. Happy days ! As we approached tiie breeding grounds of 

 these eccentric birds, they never failed to interest; singing, 

 scolding and chattering around us in their hidden retreats, and 

 when we stopped to listen or rest, the inquisitive, saucy little 

 fellows would often come close and peep at us, hanging side- 

 ways to the stalks and in every conceivable position, with tails 

 at times almost resting on their backs. If we remained motion- 

 less, they would soon, regardless of our presence, commence 

 climbing up and down the stems in search of the insects and 

 small forms of aquatic life that abound in such places, creeping 

 nimbly to the water's edge, swaying head downward in the 

 slender tops, or flitting about, too nervous and restless to be 

 still, hidden one moment, in sight the next, but disappearing 



