FOREST BIRDS 175 



which takes the leading part in regaining the lost 

 ground. 



Thus these pioneers gradually become fitted to 

 endure hardships which more southern members of 

 their species could not endure, and the range of their 

 kind is slowly extended. 



Every one who knows the Carolina Wren will 

 wish him good fortune in conquering new territory. 

 His activity and his loud, ringing, musical voice 

 make him a prominent and welcome figure in the 

 bird life of the community he Inhabits. He looks 

 half again as large as the House Wren and is 

 brighter, more cinnamon in color, with a conspicuous 

 whitish line above the eye. His song is in no sense 

 a trill but consists of a variety of clean-cut notes, 

 most of w^hich may be closely imitated by a skillful 

 whistler. His alarm note is a loud, rolling chir-r- 

 ring which resembles the call of a tree-toad as well 

 as that of the Red-headed Woodpecker; and if one 

 could whistle the words "tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea- 

 kettle,'' the sound produced would resemble one of 

 this Wren's most characteristic calls. 



In the South the Carolina Wren at times lives 

 about dwellings, but in the North he is usually a 

 bird of the woods, frequenting fallen tree-tops and 

 thick undergrowths. 



