WRENS 



(724) Cistothorus stellaris 



(Naumann) (Gr., a shrub leaping; Lat., 

 starry or speckled). 



SHORT-BILLED MARSH 



WREN. As shown by the upper 

 bird; notice that the crown is streaked 

 with brown and whitish. L., 4.50; 

 W., 1.80; T., 1.60; B., .38. 



Range — Breeds from Me., Ont. 

 and Sask. south to DeL, Ind. and Mo. 

 Winters in southern states. 

 (725) Telmatodytes palustris 



palustris (Wilsot,) (Gr., a swamp in- 

 habitant; Lat., a marsh). 



LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. 

 As shown by the lower bird; crown 

 blackish-brown, with no streaks. L., 

 5.20; W,, 195; T., 1.85; B., .50. 



Range — From Ont. and Quebec 

 south to Va., whence it is replaced 

 by T. p. mariance; T. p. iliacus occurs 

 in the Miss. Valley. 



some of his numerous youngsters. Seeing me, he com- 

 menced to scold and chatter away with all his might. Still 

 holding the spider, a steady stream of grating notes assailed 

 me for seemingly several minutes; then with a sudden pause 

 he gulped the spider down and cleared his throat so that he 

 might score me more roundly. The instant I backed away 

 not more than a yard he accepted it as a complete victory and 

 poured forth a regular whirlwind of song. 



WINTER WRENS are our tiniest species and, although 

 breeding in many of the Northern States, are seen chiefly 

 in winter. Pert little fellows, they steal about through brush 

 heaps and walls so cleverly that it is seldom that we catch a 

 glimpse of them unless they choose to show themselves — 

 stout little creatures with tail turned up over the hack in the 

 most absurd manner. Sometimes they scold us with gruff 

 chipperings. Again they may, especially in spring, treat us 

 with a delicious rippling flow of notes, not as loud, but sweeter 

 than those of the House Wren. They nest in brush heaps 



406 



