156 NORTH AMERICAX BIRDS. 



to be northern in its distribution during the breeding-season, yet only a 

 single specimen was obtained by Sir John Itichardson, and that un the 

 northern shores of Lake Huron. 



On the Pacific coast Dr. Cooi^er regarded the Winter Wren as the most 

 common species in the forests of Washington Territory, where it freiiuented 

 even the densest portions, and wliere its lively song was almost the only 

 sound to be heard. It was most commonly seen in winter, retiring in sum- 

 mer to the mountains to breed. He observed young liirds on the Coast 

 Mountains in July. 



Dr. Suckley also states that this "Wrc^n was found at Fort Stcnlacoom more 

 abundantly in the winter than any other species. It was very unsuspicious, 

 allowing a very near ajjproach. The dense fir forests, among fallen logs, 

 were its usual places of resort during the long, damp, and dreary winters 

 of Oregon. Dr. Suckley regarded the habits of this species and those of 

 the Parkman Wren as nearly identical. Mr. Bischoff obtained four speci- 

 mens in Sitka. 



Mr. Audubon found this species at Eastport, on the Otli of May, in fvdl 

 song and quite abundant. A m(mth later he found them e(|ually plentiful 

 in the Magdalen Islands, and afterwards, about the middle of July, in Lab- 

 rador. He described its song as excelling that of any bird of its size with 

 which he was acquainted, being full of cadence, energy, and melody, and as 

 truly musical. Its power of continuance is said to be very surprising. 



The characteristics of the Winter Wren are those of the whole family. 

 They moves with rapidity and precision from place to place, in short, sudden 

 hops and flights, bending downward and keeping their tails erect. They 

 will run under a large root, through a hollow stump or log, or between the 

 interstices of rocks, more in the manner of a mouse tlian nf a liird. 



The writer lias several times oliserved these Wrens on the steep sides of 

 Mount Washington, in the month of June, moving about in active unrest, 

 disappearing and reappearing among tlie bniken masses of granite with 

 which these .sloi)es are strewn. This was even in the most tiiickly wooded 

 portions. Though they evidently had nests in the neighborliood, they couhl 

 not be discovered. They were unsuspicious, coidd be approached within a 

 few feet, but uttered querulous complaints if one persisted in searching too 

 long in the places they entered. 



This Wren, as I am informed by Mr. Boardman, is a common summer resi- 

 dent near Calais, Me. 



Mr. Audubon met with its nest in a thick forest in Pennsylvania. He 

 followed a pair of these birds until they disappeared in the hollow of a protu- 

 berance, covered with moss and lichens, resembling the excrescences often 

 seen on forest trees. The aperture was ]ierfectly rounded and quite smooth. 

 He put in his finger and felt the pecking of the bird's bill and heard its 

 querulous cry. He was obliged to remove the parent bird in order to see the 

 eggs, which were six in nundier. The parent bii-ds made a great clamor as 



