78 LAND-BIRDS. 



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 may 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. MOTACILLID^J. Wagtails. (See 7.) 



I. ANTHUS. 



A. PENSILVANICUS. Brown Lark. " Titlark." "Pipit" 

 " Wagtail" A common migrant, in spring and autumn, along 

 the coast of New England, f 



a. About 6J inches long. Above, pure dark brown 

 (" olive-shaded " ?), slightly streaked. Under parts and super- 

 ciliary line, light buffy brown. Breast and sides, dusky- 

 streaked. Tail, dark ; outer tail-feathers, partly white. 



5. The Titlarks breed chiefly in arctic countries, and never 

 in New England. 



c. They pass through Massachusetts in spring and autumn, 

 when traveling to and from their summer homes, and are then 

 common on the seashore, "in the Fresh Pond marshes of 

 Cambridge," and sometimes in old fields. They usually collect 

 in loose flocks, and feed on seeds and insects, which they pick 

 up on the ground, where they can run with ease and rapidity. 

 They have a singular habit of jerking their tails, which is very 

 noticeable. When disturbed, they generally fly away to quite 



* The bird is really a conspicuous reaching Massachusetts from the north 



and persistent singer. Its song bears about the middle of September, always 



some resemblance to that of the House abundant through October, rarely here 



Wren, but is more guttural, discon- after the middle of November, and not 



nected, and emphatic, and on the whole known ever to occur in winter. It has . 



less musical, although by no means been observed in spring from March 



unpleasing. W. B. 29 to May 20, but is seldom if ever 



t A spring and autumn migrant, very numerous at this season. W. B. 



