Nuttall's Lesser Marsh Wren

Robert Havell after John James Audubon

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of two birds perched on a nest surrounded by tall grass. The painting features two small brown birds situated on a intricately woven nest that is nestled within dense, verdant grass. The birds have detailed plumage with varying shades of brown and are depicted with realistic attention to their feathers and posture. The nest is shown as a carefully crafted bundle of twigs and grass, set amidst tall, slender green blades that fill the composition. The background is left plain, emphasizing the intricacy and realism of the nest and birds.