IN MARSH AND SWAMP. 



DURING the warmer portions of the year, if you go to almost any marsh 

 where flags, cat-tails, or reeds are growing, or on the salt marshes of the 

 sea-shore, you will hear presently an unmistakable wren song, and very 

 soon see the singer. The birds are extremely active, and their nervous en- 

 ergy finds vent in constant busy movement. They resent any intrusion or 

 trespass on their haunts, and scold, as continuously as any 

 ^T, Catbird or White-eyed' Vireo under like circumstances, 



cistothorus paiustris They are generally gregarious, even in the breeding season, 

 many pairs nesting at no great distance from one another. 

 The nervous energy of the male bird after laying has begun seems to be re- 

 doubled, and it is no unusual thing to find him employed in building another 

 nest at such times. Frequently several such structures are begun and carried 

 to various stages of completion. Usually the outer wall is completed, and 

 then another nest is begun. At one time in a small marsh, not more than 

 forty feet long and some twenty-five wide, and only occupied by a single pair 

 of birds, I found eight new nests. One of these contained five fresh eggs, 

 and the others were to all appearance the result of the efforts of the male 

 bird. I visited the place when it contained but two nests, and the others 

 were built in the succeeding ten days. They were none of them ever used, 

 save the one that contained five eggs, for breeding in. 



The Long-billed Marsh Wren is about five inches and a quarter in 

 length. The upper parts are deep olive brown on the head, often almost 

 black on the sides, darker brown on the back, generally nearly black or very 

 dark umber, shading into reddish brown, on the rump. 



There is a clear white stripe over the eye, and the dark brown of the 

 back is relieved by numerous fine clear white streaks. The wings and tail 

 are barred dusky and lighter brown. The under parts are white or grayish 

 white, washed on the sides and flank with pale brown. 



The nest is a spherical structure, woven in the tall reeds and grasses 



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