SHORT-BILLED MAESH WEEN 91 



The Short-billed Marsh Wren is a somewhat rare and 

 local summer resident throughout southern and central New 

 England and New York. It ar- 

 rives in May and stays through 

 September. While the Long-billed 

 Marsh Wren lives among cat-tails, 

 the Short-billed prefers the sedgy 

 meadows that border sluggish fresh- 

 water brooks or rivers. If the 

 meadows are extensive, there may I'lo- 6- Short-billed Marsh 

 be hundreds in a colony, or it may 



consist of only a pair or two. A few have been found as 

 far north as Dublin, N. H., and several large colonies in 

 Berkshire County, Mass. The bird is common in the Pur- 

 gatory Meadows at Norwood, Mass., and in the marshes 

 bordering the Sudbury at Wayland, Mass. 



While the song of the Long-billed Marsh Wren resembles 

 the House Wren's in its volubility, that of the Short-billed 

 Marsh Wren suggests rather some species of sparrow. It 

 may be represented by the syllables tsip tsip tsip tsipper 

 tsipper tsipper, the first two or three notes staccato, the 

 rest running rapidly down the scale. The call-note is like 

 the opening note of the song. 



The bird clings to the grass stalks in the same attitude 

 as its relative, with tail cocked over its back, but it may be 

 distinguished by the absence of a white line over the eye, 

 and by its streaked head and upper back, which lacks the 

 black patch. 



Winter Wkbn. Olbiorchilus hiemalis 



4.06. 



Ad. — Upper parts deep brown; line over eye pale brown or light 

 tawny ; wings and tail crossed with narrow dark bars ; under 

 parts brownish or tawny, lighter than upper parts, but barred 

 with blackish and white, and darker than in following species; 

 tail less than l^in. long. 



