The Singing- of Birds. E.P.BiokneU. 

 Telmatodytes palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. 



There seems to be an irregularity about the singing of this bird 

 in the late summer and fall which requires for full explanation 

 more complete data than my records aflbrd. The first song- 

 period normally ends early in August, dates of final songs in six 

 years falling between July 31 and August 13. But sometimes a 

 song will be heard late in the month, as in 1878, when a song on 

 August 28 was the only one heard since the 7th, although obser- 

 vations had been continued in the interim. 



In 1879 observations failed to detect any singing during 

 August, but on September 7 a song was heard, which was the 

 last. In 1880 the case was still different, isolated songs being 

 scattered along through August till the 22d, after which none 

 were heard until, on October 3, several birds were observed in 

 fine plumage and full song. Were it not for the latter observa- 

 tion, we might be disposed to conclude from our data that with 

 this species a second song-period, in late August or early Sep- 

 tember — some three or four weeks after the first— was indicated but 

 not well established. But the fact of several birds being in full 

 song on one occasion so late as October, when they were about 

 to leave us, leads us to suspect that the true second song-period 

 of the species may occur subsequent to its departure. Toward 

 the close of its vocal season this species sometimes sings in a low 

 uncertain way, after the manner of the Plouse Wren. 



Auk. I, April, 1884. /SS^'/J9' 



