THE SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN, 



{Cistothorus stellaris.) 



Because of its shy and retiring disposi- 

 tion and its apparent dislike to take wmg 

 the Short-billed Marsh Wren is not very 

 often seen. It is usually found closely 

 associated with its first cousin, the long- 

 billed marsh wren, from which it is dis- 

 tinguished by the markings on the back 

 and its short bill. 



It inhabits the reeds and tall grass of 

 our marshes of the central states and 

 ranges as far north as Massachusetts 

 and Manitoba to as far west as Utah. 



After spending the winter in the south- 

 ern states it reaches this locality about 

 the last of April or the first of May. The 

 marshes which it inhabits prevent close 

 observation. But the fact that nests have 

 been found with eggs in as early as the 

 last week of May indicates it arrives 

 about the last of April. 



The nest is a loose, globular affair 

 situated in the top of a tussock of grass 

 or in rushes some twelve or eighteen 

 inches above the ground or water. It is 

 composed of coarse grass closely inter- 

 woven with fine blades and fibers, mak- 

 ing a compact structure. The inner part 

 is lined with fine materials, such as soft 

 down, cat-tail blossoms, etc. At one side, 

 sometimes ingeniously hidden, is a small 

 round entrance. The nest resembles very 

 closely that of its first cousin in shape 

 and location, but can easily be recog- 

 nized by the eggs, which are pure white. 



This little bird sometimes builds a 

 number of nests, but lays eggs in but 

 one. Whether it does this because it en- 

 joys the occupation, or for the purpose 

 of producing a "blind," no one can say. 

 A number will nest in the same locality, 

 thus forming quite a colony. 



Its song is quite different from that of 

 the long-billed. Mr. Gault says : "In 

 the manner of delivery it forcibly re- 

 minds one of the song of the dickcissel, 

 although, of course, it is not near as loud. 



They are quite shy, but would allow one 

 to approach within forty or fifty feet of 

 them, when they would dart down into 

 the thick grass, from which it was almost 

 impossible to dislodge them." 



Mr. Washburn, in speaking of this bird 

 in the Red River valley, gives some in- 

 teresting accounts of its peculiarities. "In 

 a large marsh * * * j fotmd a colony 

 of these wrens, which by my presence 

 was thrown into most excitable activity. 

 They are at a disadvantage when on the 

 wing, these appendages seeming scarcely 

 able to support their obese bodies, for 

 they fly as though weighted like a bee 

 returning to a hive heavily laden. In- 

 stinctively they fly toward the friendly 

 support of some tall weed where, as if 

 feeling more secure on their feet than 

 in the air, they resume their antics, hang- 

 ing their heads downward, twirting their 

 tails, jumping from one weed to another, 

 and each bird apparently communicating 

 its restlessness to its neighbor, until the 

 whole colony is in a state of ferment. 

 They do not alight gracefully like most 

 birds, but seem to tumble into the 

 weeds." 



Unless one is very cautious and perse- 

 vering he is not able to observe the activ- 

 ity of these wee bits of bird life. He can 

 wade into their very midst and can hear 

 them chattering within a few feet of him 

 without seeing them or at the best get- 

 ting but a glimpse of one. But if he con- 

 ceals himself and remains quiet for per- 

 haps a half hour his efforts may be re- 

 warded. 



Ilk happy bird, wee helpless thing-. 

 That in the weary months o' spring 

 Delight me to hear thee sing, 



What's come o' thee? 

 Where wilt thou cower thy chittering wing 



And close thy e'e? 



— Burns. 



T. RoLLiN Slonaker. 



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