Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 573 



of the rushes, perhaps only a fev/ feet away, and then lower and 

 lower among the reeds as the irritable little body seeks deeper 

 cover. But if you remain quiet, inquisitiveness very soon gets 

 the better of the bird's timidity, and you note that it is approach- 

 ing you, evidenced by the less scolding note which comes nearer 

 and nearer every moment until you soon get a glimpse of the curi- 

 ous little brown object as it flits through some open space. After 

 having come close enough to see what you are, the bird seems fairly 

 reassured, and by short easy stages, goes again deeply into the 

 tules, the while continuing, though with less evidence of concern, 

 its curious screeping note. A little later, from farther away in 

 the marsh, comes a merry little song perhaps from the self-same 

 bird which was scolding you but a minute before, or, possibly, 

 from one which your presence- has not yet disturbed. On choice 

 days, you may, by stopping your boat in the Outlet just before 

 reaching Lost Lake, be favored with cheery songs from half a 

 dozen of these attractive little songsters in different parts of the 

 tule-lands about you. The first songs heard will come from the 

 remoter places and will divide your attention with the scolding 

 notes from nearby birds. A little later the scolding ceases and 

 the tinkling songs break out here and there in many places, some 

 quite near, others far away. 



Their song may be heard on any suitable day during their stay 

 with us, but we have heard it most often during the latter part of 

 the season. Contrary to the habit of most song birds, but in com- 

 mon with many other wrens, this species does not cease singing 

 with the nest building or the rearing of the brood, but continues 

 it long after the young have left the nest; indeed, more singing 

 may be heard in the fall than at any other time. The wrens are 

 most vocal, if we mistake not, on those calm, still days in August 

 and early September, when the sky is overcast, and not a breath 

 of air is stirring; or else later in September or during October 

 when there is a chill in the morning and evening air, but the middle 

 of the day calm, sunshiny and pleasant. Bright warm days of 

 summer do not greatly inspire the bird to song as do similar days 

 later when the air is cooler. On the other hand, calm overcast 

 days with lowering clouds in late autumn do not provoke the wrens 

 to song as do such days in summer. Our most distinct, and per- 

 haps happiest, memories of the day song of the marsh wrens are 

 of those delicious days in September just after the first frosts 

 have given a shade of brown to the marsh plants, and the wrens 

 have completed their preparations if any be necessarj', for their fall 

 migration to the southland. They then seem to be simply waiting 



