1891] MARYLAND ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 113 



It has been noticed that there seems to be a spirit of rivalry 

 among these birds when singing, one trying to outsing the other. 

 They also answer one another, and it is worthy of remark that 

 the answers are not given in the same pitch. 



Troglodytes aidon (Viell.). House Wren. 



About the latter part of April, this " house friend " makes 

 its appearance. As the common name indicates, this wren es- 

 pecially prefers the neighborhood of men, and breeds regardless 

 of their proximity. If a box be provided in a tree near the 

 house, the nest is built there, or in some convenient hole in the 

 house. On account of its familiarity this species is liked wher- 

 ever it makes its abode, whether it be near the farm house or in 

 the city. In the city of Baltimore it is not as common as form- 

 erly, probably, if not certainly, on account of the presence of 

 the " English Sparrow." The song of this bird is a kind of 

 warble; soon recognized, but difficult to indicate, either by sylla- 

 bles or words. In the beginning of October, about the time of 

 the arrival of the " winter wren," the house wren takes its 

 leave. This species is seen to be more abundant than the pre- 

 ceding. 



Cistothorus palustris (Wils.). Long-billed Marsh Wren. 



In its nidificatiou and the localities which it inhabits, this 

 wren differs greatly from its relatives. In the marshes and 

 swamps of our rivers, for instance Back or Patapsco, where 

 covered with "water oats" (Zizania aquatica), and reeds, 

 mostly " cat tail," with here and there a patch of pickerel weed 

 (Pontederia cordata) we find the wren in adundance during the 

 entire summer. It arrives here late in April and remains until 

 near the end of September, and sometimes a straggler is found 

 as late as October. This bird affects exclusively swamps and 

 marshes, and has not been observed to venture away from the 

 water, since its chief delight is to scramble up and down the 

 reed stems growing there. Now and then, one will rise a few 

 yards straight into the air, during this time lustily singing, if 

 indeed we can so call their screeching and crackling notes. 



