Globular Nests in Marsh-Grass, Reeds, etc. 



Part II.— GLOBULAR NESTS IN MARSH-GRASS, 

 REEDS, ETC. 



724. Short-billed Marsh Wren: Cistothorus stellaris 



(Licht.) 



Adu/t— Black and brown streaked with buff and white ; under 

 parts white or whitish tinged with buff. Length — ^4.00. 



Breeding Range — The Eastern States from New Hampshire and 

 Manitoba southward. 



The nest, which is globular or spherical, with the entrance 

 on the side, is made of coarse grasses or thin reeds, with the lin- 

 ing of plant down ; it is attached to upright reeds in marshes. 

 5 to 7 eggs are laid ; they are usually pure white, but are 

 sometimes marked faintly with rather large spots of pale lavender. 

 Size — .64 X.45. 



This energetic little wren, which builds such a remarkable 

 nest, is found more often in the damp meadows than in the regu- 

 lar swamps where his cousin, the long-billed marsh wren, lives. 

 The habit of building more nests than are ever used for laying 

 eggs in, is one of the peculiarities of the marsh wrens. Where 

 one nest is found there are sure to be others not far away, some 

 finished and some scarcely more than begun. Whether these 

 are for roosting in, or simply experiments, or as a method of 

 protection, it is difficult to say. Two sets of eggs are usually 

 laid ; the first about the end of May, and the second in July. 



725, Long-billed Marsh Wren ; Cistothorus palustris 



(Wils.) 



^fl?«//— Upper parts very dark brown or nearly black, the rump 

 being a reddish brown or chestnut ; white line from the bill 

 over the eye, and white streaks on the back ; under parts 

 dusky gray or whitish. The young birds have the breast 

 light yellow. Length— 5.20. 



Breeding ^««^^— Throughout the Eastern States northward to 

 Massachusetts. 



The nest is built of reeds, grasses, weeds, and sometimes mud- 

 with the lining either of grass or plant down, the seed from the 



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