6 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATURAL [March, 1885. 
Bay. Prof. Kumlien tells me they are not uncommon near 
Lake Koshkonong, Jefferson County. Prof. Cook also found 
them in Jefferson. I saw a pair feeding their young, in Grant 
County, in 1879. 
Twenty or thirty years since the cheerful, chattering song of 
the active, bird, the Short-billed Marsh Wren (Oislothorus stdlaris) 
was heard in every low prairie covered with fine carex. The 
male industriously ties the grass together, making numerous 
nests, letting his demure mate select one of the number, as best 
pleases her, in which she deposits pure white eggs. The nests 
were so abundant that I collected some twenty for exchange. I 
have seen or heard scarcely a bird of this kind for fifteen or 
twenty years. Their song has been silenced by the click of the 
mower. The hay harvest comes before the young are Hedged, 
hence the mower is fatal to this wren’s best interests. They have 
gone, I hope, somewhere where carex abounds and mowers do 
not. 
In the latter part of June, 1847, I visited the Rapids of Ra¬ 
cine river, three miles from its mouth. Tire shore on either 
side was shaded by birch and Arbor vitae. Tire limestone cliffs 
were covered with rare ferns. The charm of this picturesque 
spot was enhanced by the singular musical performance of the 
large Mocking Wren (Thriothorus ludovicianus) . 
Here I shot a female and a young bird which she was feed¬ 
ing ; both of them are in my collection. After the next year, I 
have not seen this large wren near Racine. William Dudley 
killed one near Madison, which he preserved in his fine local 
collection. I heard one singing near Mazomanie, Dane County, 
in I.806. I have no doubt that it may be found still in some of 
the southwestern counties. 
Mocking birds (Minus polyglottm), nested freelv in the ne 
vicinity of Racine previous to 1856. I obtained three nes 
and knew of several that I would not molest, and of thr 
others broken up by young egging-hoys. This matchless son 
WlT T If heaFd am ° ng the thickets and witc 
haze bushes. he ax and plow have destroyed the haunts 
years lg ^ W been See ” ^ fifteen or tweiv 
