492 Birds of Colorado 



Distribution. — Western North America, breeding from British 

 Columbia and Alberta south, probably to northern Mexico, and from 

 the Pacific to the Mississippi Valley. In winter throughout the greater 

 part of Mexico. 



In Colorado the Western House-Wren is quite a common summer 

 resident, reaching the State early in May from the south and departing 

 again in October. It breeds both in the plains and moimtains, but 

 most commonly in the latter, up to about 10,000 feet, and is occasionally 

 met with up to timber line. It has been recorded from all over the 

 State, from Estes Park (Kellogg) and Weld co. (Markman) to Baca co. 

 (Warren) on the east, and from Routt co. (Warren) and Mesa co. 

 (Rockwell) to La Plata co. (Morrison) on the west. The highest definite 

 breeding record seems to be Breckenridge, where it was met with by 

 Carter. 



Habits. — ^This quaint little bird is found about cliffs 

 and rocky hill-sides as well as in the thickets along the 

 streams, and is also, as its name imphes, frequently in 

 the neighbourhood of dwellings. It has a great variety 

 of song with a number of clear, ringing and ebulHent 

 notes ; this is generally poured forth from a perch with 

 considerable vigour, the head being thro"wn back and 

 the wings trembhng. In search of the insects which 

 constitute its food, it is very industrious, creeping about 

 and looking over dead leaves, with tail erect and with 

 a quick, nervous manner. 



The nest is to be found almost anywhere where a 

 suitable cavity, chink or cranny can be found — under 

 logs, in old Woodpeckers' holes, between the logs of 

 miners' cabins, among the timber of old mming shafts, 

 in deserted cabins ; these are all sites made use of. 

 Warren (09) relates how a pair tried to nest in his wagon- 

 box, but when turned out of that, took possession of an 

 empty fruit can nailed up against a cotton -wood tree 

 close by. 



On the whole, perhaps a decayed and hollow branch 

 or stub is most frequently used. The greater part of 

 the cavity is filled up with small twigs and other rubbish. 



