140 SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 



Floridas, as I shot several individuals in February 1833, nine miles from 

 Charleston, at a distance from any river, and on high, usually dry plains, at 

 that season partially covered with water. They did not rise until we had 

 almost walked upon them, and could be shot only on wing, as they flew 

 directly off at the height of a few inches above the grass, and alighted on the 

 first bunch as abruptly as if they had been shot. They then emitted a single 

 rough grating note, quite distinct from that of any other Wren. About this 

 time I received from Nuttall a letter, which completes the history of this 

 diminutive species. 



"Concerning the Short-billed Marsh Wren of which you inquired, I have 

 but little to add to what I have already published; but it is for you to fill up 

 the history of its summer migrations. Did you find it in Maine or Labrador? 

 This season they have been more than usually abundant. Last year (1832) 

 I saw extremely few, and believe many were famished, or some way 

 destroyed by the long continuance of our spring rains. This year (1833) 

 also, several pairs of Marsh Wrens have been seen occupied in making their 

 nests in the reeds, on the margin of Fresh Pond, in our vicinity. These 

 nests are suspended; those of the short-billed species always repose directly 

 on the surface of the sedgy tussock of which they are made. The young are 

 easily approached, appearing, by the placid innocence of their manner, as if 

 wholly unconscious of danger. Coleopterous insects are the principal food of 

 the species. I heard once or twice this season, the anxious guttural bubbling 

 sound attributed to the Marsh Wren, mentioned by Wilson. The Short- 

 billed species and the Common, now near the time of their departure for the 

 south, frequents the reeds by Fresh Pond, in little roving companies. — 

 Cambridge, September 12, 1833." 



I found this small species very abundant in the Texas, where it breeds in 

 such situations as are usually selected by it elsewhere. When within a few 

 feet of them, I observed that whilst the males are singing, the tail is allowed 

 to hang loosely. I mention this because the bird has been represented as 

 elevating its tail while so engaged. Dr. Trudeatj informs me that he found 

 its nest in the Delaware marshes, and saw both the male and the female near 

 it, but could not procure them, being at the time without a gun. The eggs 

 were four. 



Short-billed Marsh Wren, Troglodytes brevirostris, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 436. 

 Nuttall's Short-billed Marsh Wren, Troglodytes brevirostris, Aud. Orn. Biog., 

 vol. ii. p. 427; vol. v. p. 469. 



Adult Male. 



Bill of moderate length, slender, nearly straight, acute, subtrigonal at the 



