THE WRENS. 105 



The extent of country over which he roams is very 

 wide, reaching from Texas to Canada, and as far west 

 as the Columbia river. In Florida his place is sup- 

 plied by the Piping Fly-catcher, which he so nearly 

 resembles that they might by some be mistaken for 

 the same bird, being possessed of the same active 

 and courageous disposition when intruded upon by a 

 stranger. 



We have also abounding in our woods during the 

 summer months the Great Crested Fly-catcher and 

 the Wood Pewee, the former a noisy, active fellow, 

 often frequenting the orchard about cherry time, the 

 latter a sprightly little bird about the size of a Spar- 

 row, whose sweet notes of " Powee ! Powee ! Peto- 

 way!" prolonged with a mournful accent, may be 

 heard from morning till evening; even during the 

 heated hours of noon, when most other birds are 

 silent, this little songster still utters his plaintive 

 ditty with a sweet earnestness that cannot fail to 

 attract attention. 



We will now take up the families of the more per- 

 fect singing birds, though with regret that our limits 

 will not permit a foray into the lands of sun and 

 flowers, the tropical home of the lovely Cotingas, 

 which are represented by a few species in the south- 

 western regions of our country. 



We will first notice the Wrens and Titmice. With 

 the former almost every one has some acquaintance. 

 There are several very beautiful species inhabiting 

 the country west of the Mississippi, but our know- 

 ledge of them is but limited. Of those further east- 



