BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 611 



that ever was heard. Not a voluble gabble, like the House 

 Wren's merrj roundelay, but a fine, clear, bold song, uttered as 

 the singer sits with head thrown back and long tail pendent — 

 a song which may be heard a quarter of a mile or more, and in 

 comparison with which the faint chant of the Song Sparrow 

 sinks into insignificance. The ordinary note is a low, soft 

 'Flit,' (occasionally a rather harsh, scolding note,) uttered as 

 the bird hops about, its long tail carried erect or even leaning 

 forward, and jerked to one side at short intervals. In its move- 

 ments it is altogether more deliberate than either T. ludovicianus 

 or T. aedon., but nothing can excel it in quickness when it is 

 pursued." 



Their nests are built in deserted Woodpecker holes, hollow 

 logs, nooks in buildings, or any cavity they may fancy. They 

 are loosely constructed of sticks, rootlets, stems, spiders' webs, 

 grasses, etc. , and lined with fur, or most any soft substance, and 

 a few downy feathers; quite bulky, usually filling the space, but 

 I think in no case roofed over. Eggs usually seven to nine — 

 as high as eleven have been taken — . 66 x. 50; white, speckled 

 with light and dark shades of reddish brown and purple shell 

 stains, thickest around the larger end; in form, oval. 



Thryothorus bewickii 'bairdi (Sal v. & Goum.). 



BAIRD'S WREN, 

 PLATE XXXIV. 



Kesident in southern Kansas; common in the middle and 

 southwestern portion. Begin laying early in May. 



B. . K. 616. C. 72. G. , 312. U. 7196. 



Habitat. From middle Kansas, Colorado and Utah south, 

 through western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, into Mexico. 

 Breeds throughout its range. 



Sp. Char. "Above, ashy browu; rump and middle tail feathers brownish 

 ash, the former nearly pure ash; without appreciable bars; bars on secondaries 

 obsolete. Beneath, including inside of wing, pure white, with little or no brown- 

 ish on the sides. Crissum banded; ground color of the quills and tail feathers 

 grayish brown." 



Stretch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill, 



Male 5.60 7.50 2.30 2.50 .70 .55 



Female.... 5.20 7.15 2.15 2.30 .68 .53 



