47 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of seven specimens : length, 

 4-06; stretch, 6-15: wing, 1-89; tail, 1-24; bill from nostril, 35; tar- 

 sus, -73. 



17. Telmatodytes palustris (Bartram). Long-billed Marsh 

 Wren. A common summer resident; breeds in the marshes border- 

 ing the Hudson. Arrives about the middle of May (21, 1875 ; 18, 1876 ; 

 21, 1877; 4, 1878), and remains till October (1, 1874; September 28, 

 1876; 23, 1878). This species has the habit of singing at niglit, when 

 the moon is bright. Its eggs, six to eight in number, are deposited 

 about the first of June. They are of a deep mahogany color ; some- 

 times a light colored egg is found in the same clutch. The nest is 

 spherical, with a round orifice for entrance at the side. It is attached 

 to the reeds of the salt marshes, and is constructed partly of these 

 same flags ("cat-tail," Typlia latifolia, Linn.), and partly of the marsh 

 grasses ; the interior lined with the down of the flag. The eggs are 

 kept covered till the full complement has been laid ; possibly as a pro- 

 tection against snakes. They breed at least twice in a season, occu- 

 pying a fresh nest each time. I examined several nests, on Consook 

 Island, which contained fresh eggs, as late as July 20, 1878. These 

 ■were probably third broods. The House AVrens left our piazza with 

 their third brood August 15. 



The Marsh Wrens live in colonies, and are as attractive, merry little 

 birds as you could wish to see ; scolding hard when their retreats are 

 invaded, but singing a joyous, happy refrain the moment you pass on. 

 Even when scolding most irately, you may hear them, between times, 

 trying to swallow the gurgling notes that seem to well forth sponta- 

 neously and against their wills. There are few sounds so cheerful 

 and pleasant to hear as the jingling melody produced by a colony of 

 Marsh Wrens left in quiet ( ?) possession of their oozy territory, after 

 such a disturbance. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of seven specimens : length, 

 5-20; stretch, 6-52; wing, 1-95; tail, 1-68; bill from nostril, -42; tar- 

 sus, -81. 



Family, ALANDIDJE. 



18. Eremophila alpestris, (Fors^er). Horned Lark. Mr. Jas. 

 S. Buchanan, of Newburgh, informs me that this species often occurs 

 about Cornwall and Newburgh. None of the other collectors have 

 met with it in the Highlands, as most of the region is uusuited to its 

 wants. 



Family, MOTACILLIDJE3. 



19. Anthus ludovicianus, (Gmelin). American Pipit; Tit- 

 lark. Occasionally seen during its migrations. Messrs. William K. 



