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 T. palnstris. "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). 



