18 



COMMON SHBIKE. 



(Lanius Ludomciamis.) 

 In size this bird somewhat resembles the robin, the 

 color is bluish with black upon the wings and tail^ also 

 a patch under each eye. He derives his name from the 

 habit he has of impaling his food upon the thorns or 

 other sharp points. The food consists of small birds 

 and mice, and a great number are killed and hung up 

 which are never eaten. When hungry he immitates 

 the cry of some small bird, which brings them to the 

 spot, when they are pounced upon and destroyed. It 

 ranks among the song birds, but is a hawk in disposi- 

 tion. It builds a large nest in the forks of a tree, often 

 in the orchard. It is composed of sticks and grass. 

 Eggs four or five, of a dull olive cast. 



L. B. MARSH WREN. 



{Telmatodytes Palustus.) 

 This interesting bird arrives in Pennsylvania in the 

 early part of May, or as soon as the reeds and splatter 

 docks appear along the shores of our lakes and rivers, 

 and are sufficiently large to shield it from view. Its 

 food consists of flying insects and their larvae; also a 

 species of green grass-hopper which inhabits the reeds. 

 Its song is peculiar, somewhat resembling the noise 

 made by bubbles rising through water. The nest of 

 this little specie excells many others in structure and 

 design: it is placed in the thickest part of the reeds, 

 and is composed of them : the general shape is round 

 with the hole in the side for an entrance. The eggs 

 are numerous, of a mahogany color, thickly sprinkled 

 over the entire surface: they vary much. 



