Plate XLVL 



TELMATODYTES PALUSlRIS-Long-billed Marsh Wren. 



The Long-billed Marsh Wren is common throughout Ohio during its migrations in April and Sep- 

 tember, but, during the summer months, it is only to be found about large marshes. The nest for the 

 first brood is constructed in May, and in July a second nest is often built, for many pairs rear two 

 broods each during the season. 



LOCALITY : 



The nest of this species is said to have been found at St. Mary's and also at Licking reservoirs. 

 In the northern marshes, hundreds may be taken in a single day, so numerous are the\ r . In the neigh- 

 borhood of Circleville, I have never been able to discover the nest, although I have repeatedly searched 

 for it in the little marshes where these Wrens are plentiful during their migrations, and which, in every 

 particular except size, seem suitable for their summer home. As only large marshes are used for breeding 

 grounds, the summer distribution of the species is very uneven. The nest, therefore, is very common in 

 some localities, while in others it is entirely unknown. 



POSITION : 



The nest is usually between one and three feet above the ground or water, as the case may be. It 

 is firmly attached to a bush, to reeds, to cat-tails, or to a number of blades of tall marsh-grass, by the 

 long grasses of which it is composed. If a cluster of grasses is chosen for the site, it is bound, generally 

 posteriorly, to several perpendicular stalks, and, for additional security perhaps, is fastened rather 

 more loosely to a few stalks or blades outside of the bundle which gives its main support. 



MATERIALS : 



The nest is a globular structure, about the size and shape of a cocoanut. It is composed principally 

 of long blades of dead grass, nicely interwoven. The cavity within is small compared to the exterior, 

 and is usually lined with fine grasses. The entrance is generally in the upper half, and completely con- 

 cealed by elastic grasses, which the birds force apart going in or coming out. Sometimes weed-fibres, 

 long strips of leaves, and similar vegetable substances, or mud may be mixed with the grasses. The 

 lining is occasionally composed of feathers instead of grass. The diameter of the nest from side to side 

 is about four and one-half inches. The diameter from top to bottom is about five and one-half inches. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs varies from four to six, six being the common number. Nine eggs, it is 

 said, have been taken from one nest. The ground-color of the shell is chocolate, often of a pinkish cast, 

 varying in intensity in different specimens from a slight wash to a shade nearly as dark as a grain of 



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