THE LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. 
269 
in places that are little more than damp meadows. It is remarkably mouse- 
like in habits and movements, and can be flushed only with extreme difficulty.” 
Mr. B. T. Gault, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, found this bird not uncommon in 
the grassy marshes near Sheffield, Indiana, and describes the song as alto- 
gether different from that of 7. palustris. ‘‘In the manner of delivery it for- 
cibly reminds one of the song of the Dickcissel (Spiza americana) altho, of 
course, it was not near as loud. ‘They were quite shy but would allow one 
to approach within forty or fifty feet of them, when they would dart down 
into the thick grass, from which it was almost impossible to dislodge them. 
The specimens that I secured were shot from small bushes on the edge of the 
marsh, these being the favorite stands occupied by the male in song.”’ 
According to Dr. Brewer, the nests of this species are constructed in the 
midst of tussocks of coarse, high grass, the tops of the blades being bent down 
and interwoven into a stout spherical ball, closed on every side save for one 
small aperture. The strong wiry grass of the tussock is also shot through 
and interlaced with finer materials brought in by the bird. The whole struc- 
ture is almost impervious to rain; and the inner nest is composed of grasses 
and fine sedges, lined with vegetable downs. 
No. 118. 
LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. 
A. O. U. No. 725. Telmatodytes palustris (Wils.). 
Description.—Adult: Crown blackish; forehead light brown centrally,— 
color sometimes spreading superficially over entire crown; hind neck and scapu- 
lars light brown (raw umber, nearly) ; rump warm russet; a triangular patch on 
back blackish, with prominent white stripes and some admixture of russet; wings 
and tail fuscous or blackish on inner webs, brown with black bars on exposed 
surfaces; sides of head whitish before, plain brown or punctate behind; a white 
superciliary line; under parts white, tinged with ochraceous-buff across breast, 
and on sides, flanks, and crissum; bill and feet as usual. Length 4.50-5.50 (114.3- 
139.7) ; av. of seven Columbus specimens: wing 1.84 (46.7); tail 1.58 (40.1); 
bill along culmen .53 (13.5); from nostril .43 (10.9). 
Recognition Marks.—Warbler size; brown and black pattern of back with 
white stripes distinctive; white superciliary stripe and long bill as distinguished 
from preceding species. Strictly confined to cat-tails and long grass of marshes. 
Nest, a ball of reeds and grasses, chinked and lined with cat-tail down, with 
entrance in side, and suspended in growing cat-tails (Typha latifolia) or bushes. 
Eggs, 5-9, so heavily speckled with olive-brown or sepia as to appear almost uni- 
form brown. Av. size, .66 x .48 (16.8 x 12.2). 
