. The Canadian field-naturalist. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. XXXVII OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL, 1923. No. 4 THE SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN {Cistothorus stellaris) By EDWIN BEAUPRE M Y discovery of a pair of these Wrens breeding in Cataraqui Marsh during the summer of 1922 has caused me to think that they are gradually making their way eastward in Ontario. From the published records available, they appear to have been re- corded several times in the western part of the Province, breeding, notably about London. My first ac- quaintance with these interest- ing marsh in- habitants was formed May 24 w
. The Canadian field-naturalist. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. XXXVII OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL, 1923. No. 4 THE SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN {Cistothorus stellaris) By EDWIN BEAUPRE M Y discovery of a pair of these Wrens breeding in Cataraqui Marsh during the summer of 1922 has caused me to think that they are gradually making their way eastward in Ontario. From the published records available, they appear to have been re- corded several times in the western part of the Province, breeding, notably about London. My first ac- quaintance with these interest- ing marsh in- habitants was formed May 24 when I observed a male hopping about and sing- ing exuberantly in some thorn bushes growing along the mar- gin of the marsh. As the female was not in sight at that time I thought the male was a mi- grating bird, but after keep- ing him under observation for a day or so and noting that he left the thorn bushes and took up his habitat among the reeds and sedges, I concluded that this jubilant singing was not in- tended for human ears, but that somewhere in the shadowy depths of the tangled marsh his little brown mate was listening. At no time during any of my visits did the male make any attempt at concealment; on the contrary, from his chosen position in the tops of the swaying reeds, he seemed determined. NEST OF SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN Photo by Edwin Beaupre, Frontenac Co., Out., June, 192Z to broadcast the information to all and sundry that exclusive members of the Wren family were spending the summer in this particular part of Cataraqui Marsh. The female, which I found to be the very embodiment of secretiveness, successfully evad- ed every attempt I made to flush her. Only once was I afforded a fleeting glimpse of her as she elusively slipped away from me through the weeds. I feel forced to re- mark that on that occasion her actions con- veyed no de- finite hint as to the probable location of her treasures. Under ordin- a r y weather conditions the part of the marsh in which
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