DESCRIPTIVE LIST 317 



moss and dead leaves, and warmly lined with feathers. The eggs average about 

 .69 x .49, and are clear white, spotted with reddish-brown and purple, chiefly near 

 the larger end. 



The Winter Wren is common along wooded streams and in shady woods, occa- 

 sionally even venturing into our yards and gardens. It is an exceedingly alert 

 little bird, with its stumpy tail usually seen sticking up at right angles to its back. 

 As it hops rapidly along a fence rail or through a brush-pile, it may almost be 

 mistaken for a hurrying mouse. The song is exceedingly sweet. 



Genus Cistothorus (Cab.) 

 322. Cistothorus stellaris (Naum.}. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 



Description. Entire upperparts streaked with white, black, and ochraceous-buff, wings and 

 tail barred; underparts unbarred, white; under tail-coverts, flanks, and a more or less broken 

 band across breast ochraceous-buff. L., 4.00; W., 1.75; T., 1.41. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. Eastern United States, wintering in Gulf States. 



Range in North Carolina. So far, only known as a rare transient. 



FIG. 260. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 



Our only records for this little Marsh Wren in North Carolina are as follows: 

 Raleigh, May 4, 1894; August 10, 1894; September 20, 1893 (H. H. and C. S. 

 Brimley); Fort Macon, one taken October 1, 1869 (Coues); Weaverville, October 

 14 to 22, 1890 (Cairns); Pungo Bluff, Hyde County, a few seen by Maynard, No- 

 vember 13, 1876; Juniper Bay, Hyde County, common on November 15 and 16, 

 1876 (Maynard). (The last two records are taken from Smithwick's Catalogue 

 of the Birds of North Carolina.) 



