NUTTALLS SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 429 



species, agi-eeing exactly with the appearance of the Marsh Wren of 

 Wilson, inclines me to believe that it also exists in Pennsylvania.'" 



While in New Jersey, in the summer of 18S2, after I had become ac- 

 quainted with this species through Nuttall, T spent several days in 

 searching the freshwater marshes, often waist-deep in mud, in the hopes 

 of procuring it ; but my efforts, as well as those of my friend Edward 

 Harris, Esq. and my sons, were unsuccessful. I therefore concluded 

 that it probably does not exist in that district. This is certainly strange, 

 for it is very abundant in South Carolina, where the Rev. John Bach- 

 man, myself, and others, have often seen it. Nay, I am of opinion that 

 it spends the winter there, as well as in the Floridas, as I shot several 

 individuals in February 1833, nine miles from Charleston, at a distance 

 from any river, and on high, usually dry plains, at that season partially 

 covered with water. They did not rise, until we had almost walked upon 

 them, and could be shot only on wing, as they flew directly off at the 

 height of a few inches above the grass, and alighted on the first bunch as 

 abruptly as if they had been shot. They then emitted a single rough 

 grating note, quite distinct from that of any other Wren. About this 

 time I received from Ncttall a letter, which completes the history of 

 this diminutive species. 



" Concerning the Short-billed Marsh Wren of which you inquired, I 

 have but little to add to what I have already published ; but it is for you 

 to fiU up the history of its summer migrations. Did you find it in Maine 

 or Labrador ? This season they have been more than usually abundant. 

 Last year (1832) I saw extremely few, and believe many were famished, 

 or some way destroyed by the long continuance of our spring rains. This 

 year (1833) also, several pairs of Marsh Wrens have been seen occupied 

 in making their nests in the reeds, on the margin of Fresh Pond, in our 

 vicinity. These nests are suspended ; those of the short-billed species al- 

 ways repose directly on the surface of the sedgy tussock of which they 

 are made. The young are easily approached, appearing, by the placid 

 innocence of their manner, as if wholly unconscious of danger. Coleop- 

 terous insects are the principal food of the species. I heard once or twice 

 this season, the anxious guttural bubbling sound attributed to the Marsh 

 Wren, mentioned by Wilson. The Short- billed species and the Common, 

 now near the time of their departure for the south, frequent the reeds by 

 Fresh Pond, in httle roving companies. — Cambridge, September 12. 1833." 



