222 THE BIRDS 
of the House Wren, a compact structure of fine twigs, 
roots, leaves or moss, lined with feathers and fur, placed 
in some crevice of a tree trunk, upturned roots, overhang- 
ing bank, or under a slightly elevated log, but always in 
close proximity to the ground. Frequenting as they do the 
uninhabited or uncultivated areas, the food gathered by 
these birds, which differs little from that of the Bewick’s 
and House Wren’s, can not play any great part in our 
economic ornithology. The eggs, which are laid the latter 
part of May, are glossy-white, sparingly specked with 
dark brown. Five to seven eggs is a full set. Size, 
.65x.50. Possibly two broods are reared with us a season. 
GENUS TELMATODYTES. 
[725]. Telmatodytes palustris palustris (Wilson). 
Long-billed Marsh Wren. 
Ranex.—Eastern United States. Breeds in Tran- 
sition and Upper Austral zones from southern Ontario 
and southern Quebec south to the Potomac Valley and 
coast of Virginia; winters from southern New Jersey to 
South Carolina and casually to Florida; casual in New 
Brunswick. 
No salt or brackish marsh seems complete without 
him, although I find it a more common breeder on the 
west side of the Chesapeake Bay than the Eastern Shore. 
Also a common breeder along Back Bay and Currituck 
Sound. With an early spring, eggs have been found as 
early as April 25th, but from May 15th till June 30th 
one can always find fresh sets of eggs. Many dummy 
nests are made, about one in every three being occupied. 
