210 THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 



tent, six and a half inches; bill, two-fifths of an inch; the 

 upper parts streaked with white, black and dark yellow- 

 ish brown; the wings and tail are barred and the under 

 parts are white, with a light buff tinge on the breast, sides 

 and under the tail. The nest in construction is similar to 

 that of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, at times built be- 

 tween reeds, but more frequently found on the ground or 

 in a hummock in marsh. The eggs are from six to eight 

 in number, white, and two- thirds by one-half an inch in 

 size. The breeding location is similar to that of the Long- 

 billed Marsh Wren, but the birds are scarce in New Jer- 

 sey; a few winter in the southern part of the state; they 

 may breed occasionally, but they mostly occur during mi- 

 grations. Their song is a chep-chep-chep-de-de-de-de- 

 rrrrr. 



Wren, Winter. Length, four inches; extent, five 

 and one- half inches; bill, one-third of an inch. The bird 

 is light brown beneath and a dark brown on the upper 

 parts; wing, tail and back, barred with dusky; on the 

 rump there are white spots concealed in the plumage, and 

 the lower breast and the sides of the belly are heavily 

 barred with black; the tail and bill are short. Its short, 

 erect tail and dark color below distinguish it from the 

 House Wren, which it resembles in general coloration. 



The nest is built in brush or among the roots of trees, 

 of twigs and moss, lined with feathers and hair. The eggs 

 are from five to seven in number, white or cream, 

 speckled finely with reddish brown; and seven-tenths by 

 one-half an inch in size. 



The birds breed from the northern United States north- 

 ward and spend the winter in the Eastern States. In. 

 New Jersey they are quite common between September 

 25 and April 1. 



Their song is very strong and musical, but seldom heard 

 in this state. The alarm note is a series of sharp cries, 

 chick-chicJc-chicJc. 



