OF NEW ENGLAND. 719 
tail-coverts slightly marked. Interscapulars and crown, quite 
or nearly black; the former white-streaked. Superciliary line, 
white. . 
(6). The nest is suspended among the reeds or long grass, 
or is built in a bush in marshes. It ‘‘is formed outwardly of 
wet rushes mixed with mud, well intertwisted, and fashioned 
into the form of a cocoa nut. <A small hole is left two-thirds 
up, for entrance, the upper edge of which projects * * *. 
The inside is lined with fine soft grass, and sometimes 
feathers; * * *.” (Wilson.) The eggs are usually six, and 
are laid in.early June. They are light (reddish?) chocolate- 
brown, so finely marked with a darker shade, as to appear, from 
a distance, uniformly dark, and average about 58 X °45 of an 
inch. 
(c). The Marsh Wrens are not to be found in northern 
New England, and in Massachusetts are even less common 
than the Meadow Wrens, to whom they are very closely allied 
in their habits. They frequent a few of both the salt-water 
and fresh-water marshes in this State, from the middle of May 
until the latter part of August. They spend their time in pro- 
curing the insects, on which they habitually feed, from the 
reeds and grasses, among which they move with great agility. 
Being rather less shy than the Short-billed Marsh Wrens, they 
can more often be seen, frequently in their favorite attitude, 
with their tail cocked in the air. 
(d). They have a harsh chatter, if it can properly be so 
called, a peculiar sound; but, I have never heard them sing, 
nor have I ever heard a well-authenticated case of another 
person doing so. 
There are, I regret to say, no pretty traditional tales to be 
told about our wrens, nor is there any hereditary affection for 
them, such as is felt for ‘‘ Jenny Wren” in England. 
§8. Motacillide. Wagtails. (See § 7.) 
I. ANTHUS 
(A) Lupovicianus. Brown Lark. “ Titlark.” ‘ Pipit.” 
* Wagtail.” 
