72 SmGDfG BIRDS — OSCINES. 



I have foiiiid a nest built in a horse's skull stuck iij) (in a pole ; and they 

 will accept any kind of accommodation jn'ovided for them, like the blue- 

 bird, being even contented with an old hat with a round hole in the crown, 

 nailed against a wall. The allied Eastern bird {T. wdon) will drive 

 the blueliinl and martin away from their dwellings, and keep posses- 

 sion, though so much the smaller and weaker. Its pugnacity is so gi'eat 

 that no more than one ])air can live in the same tree, or about the same 

 house, though several nests may be found, built liy the male in leisure 

 hours as an amusement, or to pro^'ide against accidents, but rarely if ever 

 to be occupied. 



The song of the house-WTeu is nearly alike in both the Eastern and 

 Western species, but that of the latter is rather less strong and extended. 

 It is, however, lively and pleasing, though not much varied. 



They feed on insects, especially spiders, and are attracted about buildings 

 in their search, gathering a wonderful number of them during the day, 

 especially when feeding their young. Like other wtcus, they are continu- 

 ally moving about in dark corners, scolding with a harsh chiiTup at sight of 

 an enemy, and especially hating cats, which they M"ill foUow at a safe dis- 

 tance, with every sign of anger, until far from their nest. 



Though few ha^■e yet thought of furnishing a dwelling for this li"\'ely lit- 

 tle sonirster, it is ■well worthy of such encourauement, both for its cheerful 

 song and usefulness iu destroying insects. Let e\'ery one at least take the 

 troul)le to stick up some of the skulls so common in the country for the 

 birds to l)uild in. 



This species winters in consideraljle numbers about Santa Cruz, Califor- 

 nia, where I found them in January, 1866. They have not yet become as 

 familiar about the towns as the T. melon in the East, biit will probably 

 be when the houses are surrounded by trees and shrubbery. 



Sub-Gents ANORTHURA. 



" Anorlhimi, Rexnie, 18.31." in Jloiit. Oniitli. Pict. (Baird.) 



'Winfjs mucli lonj^pr than the very ?liort tail. Bill fhortor than the head, plender, nearly 

 straight. End of tarsus reaching to the tip of the tail. (Baird.) 



T. hitemalls. 



