TROGLODYTIDJi — TIIK WltEJ^S. I45 



Thryothonis bewickii, \ai bewickii, I'.nxAr 



BEWICK'S WEEN; LONG-TAILED HOUSE WEEN. 



Troglocli/lcs beu-ic/cii. An. Oin. Biog. J, 1S31, 96, pi. xviii. — Ib. Birds Am. II, 1S41, 120, 

 pi. c.wiii. Thryntlwrus bcvnckii, Bonat. List, 1838. — B.\IUU, Bii'Us N. Am. 1858, 

 363. TclmntodyUs bewickii. Cab. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 78. Thryothorus bewickii, var. 

 bewickii, Baird, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 126. 



Sp. Char. Above dark rufous-brown ; rump and middle tail-feather.s sometime-s a little 

 paler, and very slightly tinged with gray, and together with the exposed surface of sec- 

 ondaries distinctly barred with dusky. Beneath soiled plumlieous-whitish ; Hanks lirown. 

 Cris.sum banded; ground-color of quills and fail-feathers brownish-black. Leu"-th, 5.50 • 

 wing, 2.25 : tail, 2.50. Length ii-ora nostril, 39 ; along gape, 70. 



Hab. Eastern Province of United States. 



H.viiiTS. This interesting sjiecies of Wren was first met witli by Atulubon 

 ill Louisiana. A number of individuals were observed at tlie time, but notli- 

 ing of its history was known for several years afterward. In shape, color, 

 and habits it most resembled the (.'arolina Wren, but was less rapid in move- 

 ment, and not so lively. Fourteen years later Dr. Bachman again met with 

 birds of this species, in 1835, at the Salt Sulphur Springs of Virginia. They 

 comprised a family of two parents and five young, nearly full gi'o\vn. Tlieir 

 notes were like those of the Winter Wren, neither louder nor more connected. 

 They seemed of restless haliit, creeping acti\ely among fences, stumi3s, and 

 logs. One ascended an oak, nearly to the top, in the manner of a Creeper. 

 This species proved to be tpiite common in that locality, and to be the 

 only Wren abundant among the mountains. Dr. Gilibs detected it near 

 Columbia, S. C, and Dr. Trudeau afterwards found it quite common in 

 Louisiana. 



It was tirst observed breeding by Professor Baird in Carlisle, Penn., 

 in 1844. In all respects the nests and their location corresponded with 

 those of the common Wren. Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant in the 

 Indian Temtory, and describes its habits as similar to those of other Wrens. 

 Lieutenant Couch observed this Wren at Santa EosaLio in Mexico, early in 

 March. It was seeking its food among the low prickly-pears. He was 

 informed that they deposited their eggs wherever they could do so without 

 making much of a nest, inside the caljins under the rafters, but in New 

 Leon he found one of its nests quite elaborately constructed in a tliatclied 

 roof He descrilies tlie song as quite varied, and one of the sweetest that 

 he heard in that country. 



The late Dr. Gerhardt of Varnell's Station, Ga., met witli this species 

 among the mountainous portions of Northern Georgia, where it generally 

 nested in holes in stumps. In one instance the nest was constructed live 

 inches in length, and four in diameter, with a cavity two inclies iu depth, and 

 the walls of great proportionate thickness, made externally of coarse roots, 

 19 



