THRASHERS, WRENS, ETC. 383 



fallen trees. In the shadow of the woods it is easy to overlook the 

 small dark bird creeping under a log or clambering over an old stump. 

 But often, when sitting alone in the deserted patch, my heart has been 

 warmed by the sudden apparition of the plump little Wren atilt of a 

 dry golden-rod stalk close beside me, his tail standing straight over 

 his back and his head cocked on one side. He would bow to me with 

 a droll bobbing motion, but his hearty quip-quap and the frank look 

 of interest in his bright eyes showed that he was quite ready to make 

 friends. Many a dull morning has been gladdened by such an en- 

 counter. % 



Perhaps my choicest memories, however, are of a Wren who left 

 his usual home in the dark coniferous forest for our brighter wood- 

 lands of maple and beech. He built his nest in an upturned root on 

 the edge of a bit of marshy land, helping himself to some feathers the 

 Scarlet Tanager had left at his bath in the swamp behind. 



I had never before had a chance to listen to his famous song, and 

 it was the event of the summer in the woods. Full of trills, runs, and 

 grace notes, it was a tinkling, rippling roundelay. It made me think 

 of the song of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, the volume and ringing 

 quality of both being startling from birds of their size. But while 

 the Kinglet's may be less hampered by considerations of tune, the 

 Wren's song has a more appealing human character. It is like the bird 

 himself. The dark 'swamps are made glad by the joyous, wonderful 

 song. FLORENCE A. MERRIAM. 



724. Cistotborus stellaris (Licht.). SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 

 Ad. Entire upper parts streaked with white, black, and ochraceous-buff ; 

 wings and tail barred ; under parts white, washed 

 with ochraceous-buff on the breast, sides, and 

 under tail-coverts. L., 4-00 ; W., 1-75 ; T., 1-41 ; 

 B., -42. 



Range, Eastern North America ; breeds as fur 

 north as Manitoba and Massachusetts ; winters 

 from the Gulf States southward. 



Washington, very rare T. V., two instances, FIG. 111. Short-billed 

 May. Singling, rare S. B., to Oct. 16. Cam- ' (Natu ' 

 bridge, locally common S. R., May 15 to Oct. 1. 



Nest, globular, the entrance on one side, of grasses, lined with plant down, 

 on or near the ground, in a tussock of tall grass. Eggs, six to eight, pure 

 white, rarely with a few lavender spots, -G2 x -47. 



This bustling, energetic little creature will much more often be 

 heard than seen. Its ordinary call-note, like the sound of two pebbles 

 struck together, may be heard in a dozen directions for a quarter of 

 an hour before one of the birds comes in view, so careful are they to 

 keep concealed among the protecting sedge. The ordinary song of 



