SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 159 
bottom than the top. The eggs, usually five to six in number, are very heavily colored, 
which gives them a peculiar appearance. They are so thickly spotted with brown that 
they seem to be of a rich uniform chocolate color. The average size is .64.X%.45. 
A variety, the TuLE Wren, C. palustris paludicola Brp., replaces the common 
species west of the Rocky Mountains. 
NAMES: Lonc-BILLED Marsh WREN, Marsh Wren, Salt-water Marsh Wren. —Sumpfzaunkénig (German). 
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Motacilla palustris Bartram (1790). Certhia palustris Wils. (1810). Troglodytes 
palustris Bonap. (1824), Aud., Nutt. CISTOTHORUS PALUSTRIS Bairp (1858). Telmatodytes 
palustris Henry (1857). Telmatodytes arundinaceus Cab. (1850). 
DESCRIPTION: Sexes alike. Above, clear brown, unbarred, the middle of the back with a blackish patch, 
sharply streaked with white; crown of head usually darker than the back; a dull whitish line over 
the eye. Under parts white, shaded on sides, flanks and crissum with brown. Tail evenly barred with 
fuscous and blackish; wings fuscous. 
Length about 5 inches; wings, 1.75 to 2.00; tail 1.80 inches. 
SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 
Cistothorus stellaris CABANIS. 
Z[sSHE SHORT-BILLED MarsH WREN is found in great numbers in some localities in 
q a Wisconsin and Illinois, and thence eastward to the Atlantic coast. Westward, it 
ranges to the Great Plains, and north to Manitoba, wintering in great numbers in the 
Gulf States and southward. In the Koshkonong and Horicon marshes and on the 
swampy borders of the Menomonee and Rock River, in Wisconsin, this Wren is very 
common; but, as it is a shy bird and difficult to approach, comparatively few persons 
are acquainted with it. It always loves to take up its abode in the seclusion of the 
swamps and marshes, where it is found usually in pairs and not in colonies like the 
long-billed species. In marshy places partly covered with a growth of scrubby willows, 
in swamps, where the beautiful Red-winged Blackbird and Gallinules are its neighbors, 
and in low grassy meadows, adorned with gorgeous Canada’ and meadow lilies?, 
where the tinkling mellow strains of the Bobolink float down from above, I have met 
with this nimble little Wren frequently. Here also, in the balmy month of June, its 
song—if song it can be called—may be heard. The notes are very lively and quaint, 
consisting of a number of soft and melodious sounds, blended frequently with harsh, 
wiry tones. Being very assiduous, the little songster makes up in quantity of song 
what it lacks in quality. But could we expect anything different from a bird which 
inhabits localities where the bull-frog incessantly sends forth its discordant croaks 
throughout the entire spring time, where the cricket’s croon is the farewell of summer, 
as the trill of the toad is the prelude to spring? The strain is very similar to that of 
the long-billed species, but not so loud, and more varied. Both birds are very diligent 
1 Lilium canadense. 2 L. superbum. 
