Audubon Aquatint, Marsh Wren

AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851).
Marsh Wren, Plate 98 (Later 100).
Aquatint engraving with original hand color.
London: Robert Havell, 1827-1838.
38 5/8" x 25 1/2" sheet.
Comparable: Christie's, 10/15/1982 - $1,870; Skinner, 11/18/2007 - $881
It is a homely little bird, and is seldom noticed, unless by the naturalist, when searching for other species, or by children, who in all countries are fond of birds. It lives entirely amongst the sedges, flags, and other rank plants that cover the margins of the rivers, and the inlets of the sea. Its flight is very low and short, and is performed by a continued flirting of the wings, but without the motions of the tail employed by the Great Carolina Wren. Its song, if song I can call it, is composed of several quickly repeated notes, resembling the grating of a rusty hinge, and is uttered almost continuously during the fore part of the day, the performer standing perched on the top of a tail weed, from which, on the appearance of an intruder, it instantly dives into the thickest part of the herbage, but to which it returns the moment it thinks the danger over, and renews its merry little song.