ANORTHURA TROGLODYTES VAR. HYEMALIS, WINTER WREN. 33 



AXORTHUEA TROGLODYTES var. HYEMALIS, (Yieill.) Coues. 



American Wiuter Wren. 



a. troglodytes proper. 

 (The typical form is European — the only Wren of that country.) 



b. hyemalis. 



Si/lvia trof/Iodiitcs, WiLS., Am. Orn. i, 1808, 139, pi. 8, f. 6 (not of European writers). 



Troglodi/tcs lu]cmalis, Vieill., Nouv. Diet, xxxiv, 1819, 514; Eucy. Meth. ii, 1823, 470. — 

 ■ Bp.,'List, 1838, 11 ; Consp. 1, 1850, 222.— Sw. & Rich., F. B. A. ii, 1831, 318.— 

 AuD., Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 430, pi. 360 ; Syn. 1839, 76 ; B. Am. ii, 1841, 128, pi. 

 121.— NuTT., Man. i, 2d ed. 1840; 481.— Gieaud, B. L. I. 1844, 72.— Scl., P. Z. S. 

 1856, 290 (Cordova) ; Cat. A. B. 1861, 23.— Bd., B. N. A. 1858, 369 ; Rev. 1864, 

 144.— Coop. & Suck., N. H. Wash. Ter. 1860, 191.— Wheat., Ohio Agric. Rep. 

 1860, No. 126.— Vekr., Pr. Ess. Inst, iii, 1862, 152.— Allen, iWd. iv, 1864, 68.— 

 McIlwr., ibid, v, 1866, 88.— Trippe, ibid, vi, 1871, 115.— Boardm., Pr. Bost. Soc. 

 is, 1862, 126.— Lawr., Ann. Lye. N. Y. viii, 1866, 283.— Turns., B. E. Pa. 1869, 

 20.— Allen, Mem. Bost. Soc. i, 1803, 494.— Coop., Am. Nat. iii, 1869, 74 (Mon- 

 tana) ; B. Cal. i, 1870, 73.— Mayn., Pr. Bost. Soc. xiv, 1871 ; B. Fla. 1872, 40.— 

 Snow, B. Kans. 1873, 6. 



Anortkio-a hijemalis, Coues & Prent., Smiths. Rep. 1861, 410.— Allen, Bull. M. C. Z. ii, 

 1871, 267.— Coues, Pr. Bost. Soc. xii, 1868, 107.— Mayn., Guide, 1870, 96. 



Anorthura troglodi/tes, CouES, Key, 1872, 87, tig. 30. 



Anorthnra troglodytes var. Iniemalis, Coues, Key, 1872, 351. 



Troglodytes hyemalis var. jmcificus, Bi)., Rev. 1864, 145. 



Troglodytes mroimm, Bp., Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 127 ; Syn. 1828,93.— Nutt., Man. i, 1832, 427. 



c. alascensis. 



Troglodytes alascensis, Bd., Tr. Chic Acad, i, 1869, 315, pi. 30, f. 3.— Daix & Bann., ibid. 280. 



Auorthiira alascensis, Coues, Key 1872, 87. 



Anorthnra troglodytes var. alascensis, Coues, Key, 1872, 351. 



Troglodytes hyemalis var. alascensis, Dall, Pr. Cal. Acad. Feb. 8, 1873. 



Hab. — The whole of North America. South to Cordova (Sclater). Winters from New 

 England southward. Var. alascoisis is a larger, darker, longer-billed race, inhabiting 

 Alaska, the Aleutians, and Prybilov Islands. The American bird is not sxieciiically dis- 

 tinct from the European. 



Altbongh tbis species was not noted by any of the Expeditions, it is 

 properly brought into the present connection, since it is g'enerally dis- 

 tributed over North America. It readily eludes observation in places 

 where it is not very abundant, being of a shy and retiring disposition 

 that keeps it near the ground, and for the most part hidden in the dense 

 undergrowth or broken rocky places it frequents. Its actions are almost 

 as much like tho.se of a mouse as of a bird; rarely using its wings ex- 

 cept for a short flutter from one bush or stone-heap to another, it creeps 

 slyly and rapidly about, appearing perhaps for an instant, then suddenly 

 lost to view. It is rather uncommon about Washington, D. C, from 

 earlj in October until the latter part of April; I generally found it 

 along the secluded banks of Rock Creek, and in the little ravines lead- 

 ing down to the stream. Not having met with it elsewhere, I can say 

 nothing of its habits during the breeding season from personal observa- 

 tion, but will quote from an excellent account : 



"The song of the Winter Wren excels that of any other bird of its 

 size with which I am actpiainted. It is truly musical, full of cadence, 

 energetic and melodious; its very continuance is surprising, and dull 

 indeed must be the ear that thrills not on hearing it. When emitted, as 

 it often is, from the dark depths of the unwholesome swamjjs, it oi)er- 

 ates so powerfully on the mind, that it by contrast inspires a feeling of 

 wonder and delight, and on such occasions has impressed me with a 

 sense of the goodness of the Almighty Creator, who has rendered every 

 si^ot of earth iu some way subservient to the welfare of his creatures. 

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