5S 



have distinct wreaths near the larger end : the others closely 

 resemble in markings average eggs of the Seaside Sparrow. 

 The average measurements of twenty eggs are .82 inches 

 long by .61 broad, with extremes of .89 by .63 and .76 by 

 .85. 



Telmatodytes palustris marianse. Marian's Marsh 

 Ween. 



Originally described from the west coast of Florida and 

 believed to be resident there and restricted to that locality, it 

 has only recently become evident that the real home of Mar- 

 ian's Wren is in the salt marshes that fringe the coast of 

 North Carolina. There it is common in spring, breeds, 

 and occasionally remains in winter, as I took one on Pea 

 Island — thirty miles north of Hatteras^on Feb. 8, 1901, 

 and found it tolerably common there in January, 1904. At 

 the mouth of the Anclote River, Florida, where Mr. Scott 

 discovered this bird, I found it fairly common in February 

 and March, 1897, and singing, but could not find any nests 

 anywhere on the marshes, nor did any bird taken give evi- 

 dence of being about to breed. Mr. Meyer has not suc- 

 ceeded in finding this bird breeding there, nor has he sent 

 me any skm taken after April 15. 



The habits and song of Marian's Wren are practically those 

 of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, but it is much more shy, 

 keeping well out of sight in the reeds. I do not remember 

 ever having seen one except as it took a short flight from 

 one bunch of grass to another, although I have heard its 

 song and its scolding notes very close to me. 



Males that I took on Pea Island in May, 1902, showed 

 that the breeding season was near, and I devoted what time 

 I could to a search for their nests. 



This was a rather difficult matter as there were not more 

 than one or two birds to several acres of marsh, and these 

 kept in the thickest part of the rushes. But I noticed that 



