'1‘” It ASl l l‘lllh‘, W “ENS. I'Z’l‘t ‘.

fallen trees. In the shadow of the woods it is easy to overlook the small dark bird creeping under a log or elambering over an old slump. l’mt often, when sitting alone in the deserted patch, Iny heart has been warmed by the sudden apparition of the plump little \Vren atilt of a. dry golden-rod stalk close beside me. his tail standing.)r straight over his back and his head cocked on one side. He would bow to me with a droll bobbing motion, but, his hearty quip-(1mg) and the frank look of interest in his bright eyes showed that he was quite ready to make friends. Many a dull morning has been gladdened by such an en— counter.

Perhaps my choicest memories, however, are of a Wren who left; his usual home in the dark coniferous forest for our brighter wood- lands of maple and beech. llc built his nest in an upturned root on the edge of a bit of marshy laud, helping himself to some feathers the b‘ -arlet. Tanager had left at his bath in the swamp behind.

I had never before had a chance to listen to his famous song. and it was the event of the summer in the woods. Full of trills, runs, aml grace notes, it was a tinkling, rippling roundelay. It made me think of the song of the Ruby—crowned Kinglet, the volume and ringing quality of both being startling from birds of their size. But while the Kinglet‘s may be less hampered by conside‘ations of tune, the \Vren’s songr has a more appealing human character. It is like the bird himself. The dark swamps are made glad by the joyous, wonderful song. FLanNcE A. lllEltRlAM.

724. Cistothorus stellar-is (Lid/L). Snoitr-im.1.£n Mansn Wm‘N. Arl:~-lintire upper parts streaked with white. black. and oehraecous—butl; wings and tail barred; under parts white. washed with oehraeel)us-butf on the breast. sides, and under tail—eoverts. L. 4'0); W., 1'75; T.. 141; 13.. '42.

l.‘:1n:/a~l§astern North America; breeds as far north as Manitoba and Ma sachusetts; winters from the Gulf States southward. ~'

Washington. Very rare T. \',. two instant-es, Fill-aflfrfvdiiiwaglilt‘di May. Sing Sing. rare S. R., to ()et. 16. t‘am- r'ilsizt‘.) ' ‘ bridge. loeally common 5'. IL. May if) to ()et. 1.

Net. globular, the entranee on one side. of grasses. lined with plant down. on or near the ground. in a tussoek of tall grass. 1;}Iys, six to eight. pure white. rarely with a few lavender spots, ‘0‘: x 217.

This bustling. energetic little creature will mueh more often be heard than seen. lts ordinary call-note. like the sound of two pebbles strut-k together. maybe heard in a dozen directions fo ' a quarter of an hour before one of the birds comes in \'l(‘\\'. so careful are they to keep concealed among the protecting sedge. The ordinary song of