182 



ZOOLOGY BIRDS. 



with near Fountain by Mr. Aiken in winter. It would thus appear that 

 wherever found it is resident. Throughout Eastern Arizona and Western 

 New Mexico, I have seen these wrens on many occasions, and in so many 

 and widely separated localities, that it may be said to occur everywhere 

 where the localities are favorable to its habits. These, in general, are quite 

 similar to those of the preceding, and I have, indeed, seen both species 

 together. The present bird is, however, by no means as common as the 

 Rock Wren ; nor do they associate together, as is the usual custom of that 

 bird, but, on the contrary, are usually found alone in the solitude of the 

 deep canons and along the sides of rocky glens. Here they appear perfectly 

 at home, and their motions are graceful and active as they glide among the 

 interstices of the rocks, searching each nook and corner for insects. They 

 are quite shy, much more so than the preceding species, and, unlike it, their 

 curiosity seldom keeps them in the vicinity of man ; but, on the contrary, 

 having discovered the presence of an intruder, they manifest their alarm by 

 a few harsh, scolding notes, and then, with singular adroitness, conceal 

 themselves behind the rocks, when it needs a most careful search to again 

 discover them in their hiding places. They are wont to be quite noisy, and 

 their wild, ringing notes are often heard coming from the inaccessible rocky 

 heights when the birds themselves remain invisible. 



During the breeding season, its song is loud, clear, and melodious, and, 

 once heard, is never to be mistaken for that of any other bird. It consists 

 of a series of loud, discontinuous whistles, which, beginning at a high note, 

 descend smoothly and gradually through the entire scale. 



