Desoriptions of First Plumage of Cer- 

 tain North Am. Bbs. Wm. Brewster. 



19. Cistothorua stellaris. 



Autumnal plumage : young male. Above similar to adult, but darker, 

 especially on nape and pileum. Throat and abdomen light buff ; breast, 

 sides, anal region, and crissum rusty-brown, paler and with white tip- 

 pin=^3 to the feathers anteriorly. From a specimen in my ooUection shot 

 at Cambridge, Mass., September^9, mj. ^ ^^^^^ ^ 



The Singing of Birds. B.P.Bicknell. 



Cistothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. 

 The scarcity and local distribution of this Wren has prevented 

 the acquirement of data sufficiently numerous for defining its 

 periods of song. Two periods, however, are indicated ; one 

 ending before the close of August, the other beginning about a 

 month later and continuing at favorable times until the bird's 

 departure. One of these Wrens was heard in full song almost 

 daily between August 12 and 21, 1881, but nothing was after- 

 ward heard from the species until September 18. At this date 

 the songs lacked the vigor and definition of those of a month 

 earlier, but were more prolonged. This change was carried a 

 step fVu-ther in the songs of an individual taken September 22, 1878. 

 I have no record of songs between this date and October 23. In 

 1880, on the latter date (a late one for the species), one was 

 taken while singing, but the song was so subdued and rambling 

 as scarcely to be recognizable. Thus three at least of our 

 Wrens show the same character of variation in song from spring 

 to fall. * ^ ^ 



The summer song of this bird normally presents three well 

 defined variations. Such versatility is unusual in a species, the 

 song of which is of such a definite number of distinct notes. I 

 have heard all three variations successively produced by the same 

 bird, showing them to come within the normal scope of its vocal 

 powers. What appears to be the typical song may be repre- 

 sented thus: c/«V, c/iz^, c/ic-c/ie-c/ie-c/ie-c/ie ; and one of the 

 variations thus : M, tit, ter-r-r-r-r-t, the last part with a grating 

 sound. In the former song the notes of the last part are of about 

 half the time of the first; in the variation they are much 

 more rapid. In the third variation they are not so hurried and 

 less harsh. 



I, April, 1884. (3*1 /HO. 



Bull, N.O.O. 7,AprU.1882,p. / ■ 



