76 LAND-BIRDS. 



trill, which is its most prominent feature. It may often be 

 heard in the summer and in May. 



11. CISTOTHORUS. 



A, STELLARis. ShoH-hilled Marsh Wren, Meadow 

 Wren. In New England, a rather rare summer resident, 

 found only in the warmer parts.* 



a. About 4| inches long. Below, white. Breast and sides, 

 of a light warm brown. Wings and tail, barred. Like C 

 palustris above, but streaked with white on the back, nape, 

 and rump. 



h. The nest is essentially like that of the next species, 

 but no mud is used in its composition ; it is generally placed 

 in fresh-water marshes or meadows (being sometimes built in 

 long grass), and the hole is usually on the under side.f The 

 eggs are generally six, J sometimes more, very frail, white, and 

 about .55 X -43 of an inch. The first, and commonly the only, 

 set is laid, in eastern Massachusetts, in the early part of June.§ 



c. I must confess to not being so very familiar with the 

 Meadow Wrens as I should like to be before writing their nat- 

 ural history, for in the southern parts of New England they 

 are very generally rare, and in the northern parts are not to 

 be found at all. They come to eastern Massachusetts about 

 the middle of May, and inhabit the fresh-water marshes and 

 meadows, in certain localities, until the latter part of August, 

 when they retire to the South. |1 On their arrival, they busy 

 themselves in building their peculiar nests, and it has been 

 observed that they generally build several near together, every 

 year, perhaps for the sake of protection. They are generally 

 occupied in hunting for insects among reeds, rushes, or tall 

 grass, but it is not easy to assure one's self of this fact, since 



* A summer resident of southern % Seven eggs are frequently laid. — 



New England, locally common in east- W. B. 



ern Massachusetts, and known to breed § There are commonly if not usually 



at least as far north as Rye Beach, New two layings, the first late in May or 



Hampshire. — W. B. early in June, the second early in July. 



t This is incorrect, for the position — W. B. 

 of the entrance-hole is the same in the || Many birds remain in eastern Mas- 

 nests of the two species, at least as a sachusetts through September, and a 

 rule. — W. B. few well into October. — W. B. 



