MOCKERS AND SCOLDERS 



151 



" He chooses a bunch of 

 reeds, or a bush that is sur- 

 rounded either by water or 

 tlie treacherous green grass 

 of bogs, and there weaves an 

 oblong or globuLar nest from 

 coarse grass and leaves, with 

 a little hole on one side for a 

 door. This done, he goes to 

 a short distance and appoints 

 himself day watchman to his 

 home. If a footstep touches 

 the grass ever so lightly, he 

 tells his mate of it and they 

 flit off ; and if any one thinks 

 that by following the birds 

 they will find the nest, they 

 will be very much disap- 

 pointed. ^Ir. and ]\Irs. Long- 

 bill Avill lead them a will-o'- 

 the-wisp dance ; and when the House People are tired, 

 bewildered, and very wet> in the shoes, the clever birds 

 will return home by a secret way, chuckling to them- 

 selves. You will know this little bird by his nervous 

 Wren-like wavs and ierkino- tail, even if vou are not 

 near enough to see his markings and long curving 

 bill." 



'"'• But there are no marshy places near the Farm, so 

 I'm afraid we shall never see liim, except in the wonder 

 room," said Nat. 



" By and by Avhen we go to tlie beach, where our 

 river meets the sea, I will show vou some nests. I 



Long-billed Marsh Wrex. 



