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TROGLODYTES PALUSTRIS— WILSON. 



MARSH WREN. 



Marsh Wron, Troglodytes palustris, Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 Troglodvtes palustris, Bonap. Syn. 

 Marsh Wren Troglodytes palustris, Nutt. Man. 

 Troglodytes palustris, Marsh Wren Sw. & Rich. 

 Marsh Wren, Troglodytes palustris, Aud.Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character— Bill slender rather long ; upper part of the 

 head and fore part of the back brownish-black, streaked with white. 

 Adult with the upper parts dark-brown; the upper part of the head and 

 fore part of the back brownish-black ; a band of dull white from the 

 nostril over the eye along the side of the head ; hind neck and 

 fore part of the back marked with longish spots of the same color ; 

 quills dark brown, their outer webs margined with lighter brown ; 

 tail barred with blackish-brown, the larger portion of the inner webs 

 of some of the feathers being of that color, the middle pair of feathers 

 lighter and more faintly barred ; sides of the neck light brown, inter- 

 mixed with gray ; lower parts grayish-white ; lower tail coverts with 

 a dark-brown spot near their tips. Length five inches, wing two. 



On Long Island, during the summer months, this species is quite 

 plentiful. It inhabits the swampy borders of streams, and subsists 

 on small aquatic insects — is an active, restless bird, and continues its 

 harsh notes long after nightfall. 



There is another species, (the Short-billed Marsh Wren, T. hrevi- 

 rostris) which I have no doubt is entitled to a place in this volume — 

 but from having no knowledge of it being met with on the Island, 

 I do not feel at liberty to do other than give it this passing notice. It 

 has been found in Rockland county in this State, and has been ob- 

 served as far eastward as Massachusetts, and I have not the least doubt 

 that it will yet be found on the fresh water marshes of Long Island. 

 It can be readily distinguished by its short bill, which is much less 

 than that of any other species of the Genus Troglodytes. 



