724. Cistothorus stellaris 
SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 4 1-2 inches 
Male and Female alike. Above brownish; tail and wings barred. 
Below brownish gray ; throat lighter. 
Both species, Nos. 724 and 725, are tiny mouse-like birds, difficult 
to discover, as they creep along the reeds and weed stalks hunting 
for spiders and insects. They live in colonies and inhabit open, 
swampy places. Locally common in Massachusetts. Arrives 
about the middle of May. Song. Short and unmusical. Nest. 
In the grass. Breeds. In southern New England. 
725. Telmatodytes palustris 
LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. s inches 
Appearance, range and habit much like No. 724, but has a longer 
bill and is a little larger. Song. A bubbling melody. Nest. 
Attached to reeds a few feet from the ground. Builds false nests. 
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