OF NEW ENGLAND. 79 



tail-coverts slightly marked. Inter scapulars 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. MotacillidSD. Wagtails. (See 7.) 

 I. ANTHUS 



(A) LUDOVICIANUS. Brown Lark. " Titlark." " Pipit." 

 li Wagtail.'' 



