GUADALUPE ROCK WREN 293 



on October 31, 1910 ; another was observed at Urbana, 111., on May 26, 

 1926. There are several records of its occurrence in Iowa as far east as 

 National, on September 27, 1914, and one record of its breeding near 

 Sioux City in June 1898. Birds were seen there in other years but no 

 evidence of breeding. 



Egg dates. — Arizona : 20 records, April 14 to July 16 ; 11 records, 

 May 2 to 30. 



California : 77 records, February 5 to July 28 ; 47 records, April 3 to 

 May 15, indicating the height of the season. 



Kansas : 28 records. May 8 to July 5 ; 14 records. May 12 to June 1. 



Baja California : 4 records, January 17, March 2 and 4, and April 5. 



Texas : 3 records, April 15 to June 3. 



Washington : 4 records, April 6 to May 20. 



SALPINCTES OBSOLETUS GUADELOUPENSIS Ridffway --. 



GUADALUPE ROCK WREN 



HABrrs 



In his original description of this subspecies, Mr. Ridgway (1876) 

 says: "The differences exhibited in these insular specimens from the 

 continental series are quite slight, but they are so constant as to demand 

 recognition. As to colors, there is no difference beyond slightly darker 

 shades throughout; the lower parts being soft pinkish cream-color 

 instead of creamy-white, the other portions of a darker shade to cor- 

 respond. The differences in proportions are more decided." In his 

 later work he (1904) describes it as "similar to S. o. obsoletus., but 

 decidedly darker, wing and tail shorter, bill longer and stouter, and 

 tarsi longer; young with upper parts much darker and more heavily 

 barred or vermiculated." 



The Guadalupe wren is confined to the island by that name off the 

 west coast of Baja California. Walter E. Bryant (1887) says that 

 "this species, undoubtedly the most common of the birds on the island, 

 was distributed from the beach to the summit, but was found to be 

 most numerous on the upper and central portions.'' 



Nesting. — We are indebted to Mr. Bryant (1887) for practically all 

 we know about this wren. On its nesting activities, he writes : 



The weather does not seem to be taken into consideration by any of the resident 

 species. The rock-wrens are the first to begin nesting, and endeavor to conduct 

 their domestic affairs through tlie stormiest times, though not always with suc- 

 cess. Many abandoned nests were found, some with and some without eggs, 

 deserted, probably on account of long continued wet weather. The location of 

 the nest, however, plays an all-important part in the success or failure of the 

 first builders. A few birds began the construction of their nests in December, 

 and one had her work nearly completed on the 25th of December, 1885. Four 

 fresh eggs were found in it on January 17th. The breeding season, strictly 

 speaking, extends from the middle of January through the month of March. 



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