THE LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. §5 



disturbed by iiny of their various enemies, notably blackbirds, 

 meadow-mice and crows, they abandoned each nest as they 

 found it to be discovered, until finally successful in their at- 

 tempts. To support this theory of abandonment of nest-build- 

 ing, Mr. Scott gives several instances of its occurrence, under 

 his eye, in other species of birds. Maynard conti-ibutes the 

 suggestion that possibly the unoccupied nests may serve the 

 purpose of throwing an enemy oflf the track ; and offers, as sup- 

 porting evidence, the fact that the birds are as solicitous when 

 a spurious nest is approached, as when their actual home is 

 threatened. Mr, Nelson's observations on this habit, as noticed 

 by him near Chicago, and recorded in his Birds of North East- 

 ern Illinois (Bulletin Essex Institute, VIII, p. 97), are well 

 worth reading. 



Probably all these hypotheses are true to a greater or less 

 extent, and further, as Wilson suggested, probably some of the 

 nests counted may be last year's. 



This marsh wren's nest is superior to that of almost any 

 other bird for durability, warmth and convenience. " This is 

 formed outwardly of wet rushes mixed with mud, well inter- 

 twined, and fashioned into the form of a cocoanut. A small 

 hole is left two-thirds up for entrance, the upper edge of which 

 projects like a pent-house over the lower to prevent the admis- 

 sion of rain. The inside is lined with fine soft grass, and some- 

 times feathers ; and the outside, when hardened by the sun, re- 

 sists every kind of weather. This nest is generally suspended 

 among the reeds above the reach of the highest tides, and is 

 tied so fast to every part of the surrounding reeds as to bid 

 defiance to the winds and the waves." Thus Wilson described 

 it, and, perhaps because perfection has been reached, these 

 birds vary their architecture but slightly. Occasionally, their 

 nest is placed in bushes close to the ground, or in tussocks of 

 sedges, and Mr. Samuels thmks the round entrance is always 

 on the south side. On entering or leaving, it has been said, 

 the sedges are carefully readjusted so as not to disturb the nat- 

 ural appearance of the surroundings. Mr. Gentry found one 

 nest much like that of a Maryland yellow-throat, and lined 



