3IO THE WESTERN WINTER WREN. 



but tliere is alwax'S time un tiie side tu explijre a new lunsh-lieap, lo scold a 

 cat, (_ir to indulge innumerable song-bursts. In singing his joyous trill the 

 birtl reminds one of a piece of fireworks called a "cascade," for he fills the air 

 with a brilliant bou(|uet of music, anil is himself, one would think, nearly con- 

 sumed by the violetice of the effort. But the next moment the singer is 

 carrying out last year's feather bed Ijv great beakfuls, or lugging into some 

 cranny sticks ridiculously large for him. 



During the nesting season both birds are perfect little spitfires, assaulting 

 mischievous prowlers with a fearlessness which knows no caution, and scolding 

 in a voice which expresses the deepest scorn. The rasping note produced on 

 such an occasion reminds one of the energetic use of a nutmeg grater by a 

 determined housewife. 



In nesting, the W^rens make free of the liaunts of men, but are in nowise 

 dependent on them. Old cabins afford convenient crannies, forgotten augur- 

 holes, tin cans, bird boxes, a sleeve or pocket in an old coat hanging in the 

 woodshed, — anything with a cavity will do ; but, by the same token, an unused 

 Woodpecker's hole, or a knot-hole in a stump miles from the haunts of men 

 will do as well. In any case the cavity, be it big or little, must first be filled 

 up with sticks, with just room at the top for entrance. Into this mass a deep 

 hollow is sunk, and this is heavily lined with horse-hair, wool, feathers, bits of 

 snake-skin, anything soft and "comfy". 



Since the W^estern House ^Vren makes a brief season with u^ it appears 

 to raise but one brood annuallv. 



No. 120. 



WESTERN WINTER WREN. 



A. O. V. No. 722 a. Naiinus hiemalis pacificus (Baird). 



Description. — Adult: Above warm dark brown, duller before, brighter on 

 rump, sometimes obscurely waved or barred with dusky on back, wings, and tail ; 

 barring more distinct on edges of four or five outer primaries, where alternating 

 with buffy; concealed white spots on rump scarce, or almost wanting; a pale 

 brownish superciliary line; sides of head speckled brownish and huffy, underparts 

 everywhere finely mottled, speckled or barred, — on the throat and breast mingled 

 brownish (Isabella-color) and buffy, 1)elow dusky and tawny, dusky predominat- 

 ing over brown on flanks and crissum ; bill comparatively short, straight, blackish 

 above, lighter below; feet light brown. Length about 4.00 (101.6) ; wing 1.81 

 (46) ; tail 1. 18 (30) ; bill .46 (11.6) ; tarsus .71 (18). 



Recognition Marks. — Pygmy size ; dark brown above, lighter below : more 

 or less speckled and barred all over; tail shorter than in preceding species. 



Nesting. — Nest: of moss and a few small twigs, lined heavily with wool, 

 rabbits' fur, hair and feathers, placed among roots of upturned tree, or in crannies 



