148 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



a bird of this species. Near San Diego, in April, 18G2, he discovered one 

 of its nests built iu a low bush, only three feet from the ground. It was 

 quite open above, formed of twigs, grass, etc., and contained five eggs just 

 ready to hatch, described as white with brown sjjccks near the larger end. 



Messrs. Nuttall and Townsend observed these birds in tlie marshy meadows 

 of the Wahlamet, accompanied by their young, as early as May. They seemed 

 to have all the habits of Marsh Wrens. Drs. Gamljel and Heermann, who 

 observed them in California, describe them as keeping in low bushes and 

 piles of brush, as well as about old dead trees and logs, over and around 

 which they were flitting with the greatest activity, uttering, when ajiproached, 

 the usual grating scold of the Wrens. 



In Wasliington Territory Dr. Cooper states that this and tlie Winter Wren 

 are anmng the few birds that enliven the long rainy season with their songs, 

 which were as constantly heard in the dullest weather as in the sunny spring. 

 The young bntods make their first appearance there in June. Dr. Suckley 

 found this species very alnindant at I'uget Sound, where it is a constant 

 resident throughout tlie year. On sunny days in January and in February 

 it was found among low thickets in com])any with the smaller species. At 

 this season they were very tame, allowing a person to approach them witliout 

 apparent fear. He speaks of the voice of the male as l)eing harsh and loud 

 during the breeding-season, and not unlike that of the common House Wren. 



Genus TROGLODYTES, Vieill. 



Troglodytes, Vieillot, Dis. Am. Sept. II, 1807, .02. (Type, Troglodt/tes cedon.) 



Tlio cliaracters of tliis genus are sufficiently indicated in llie synopsis on 

 page lol. Tliey come very close to those of T/n-i/olhori(s, the nostrils, es- 

 pecially, being linear and overliung by a scale. In tliis respect both tliffer 

 from T/i)-//vphiIus of ^Middle America. The bill is shorter or not longer than 

 the head ; straight, slender, and without notch. The tail is graduated, and 

 shorter than the much rounded wings, the feathers narrow. The light super- 

 ciliary line of Thri/othorus is almost entii'ely wanting. 



Species and Varieties. 



a. Ti'(Kjhid}ite>^. 

 Tiiil and wins.s about equal. 



T. aedon. Beneath grayLsli-wliite. Cii'isuni and flanks distinctly barred. 

 Wing-coverts spotted with whitish. Dark bars of tail abont half the width 

 of their interspaces. 



First primary nearly lialftlio longest. Color above dark-brown, rnfons 

 towards tail. Hah. Eastern Province T'nited Slates . . • var. ccdon. 



Wing similar. Above paler brown. Hah. Eastern Mexico, from Rio 

 Grande . southward ........ ynr. a ztecus.' 



First primary half the second. Above paler brown. Huh. Middle 

 and Western Province United States .... va.r. park7niin7ii. 



