362 PHYLLOPNEUSTE. WOODWREN. 



feathered, with a narrow bare crenate margin. External aper- 

 ture of ear large, roundish. 



The general form is slender, the body ovate, the neck short, 

 the head oblong, the wings of moderate length, the feet very- 

 slender. Tibia rather long and very slender ; tarsus longish, 

 much compressed, with seven anterior scutella, of which only 

 the three lower are distinctly defined, its posterior edge sharp. 

 Toes of moderate length, very slender, much compressed ; the 

 first rather large, flattened beneath ; the second and fourth 

 about equal ; the third much longer, united to the fourth as far 

 as the second joint. Claws rather long, arched, extremely 

 compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of the hind toe 

 curved in a semicircle. 



Plumage soft and blended, the feathers ovate, rounded, with 

 loose barbs. The nasal membrane is covered with very small 

 bristle-tipped feathers ; and there is a series of small bristle- 

 feathers along the base of the upper mandible. Tibial feathers 

 very short, and extending a little below the joint anteriorly. 

 Wings of moderate length, semicordate when extended, with 

 nineteen quills, of which the first is very small, the next four 

 longest, but varying proportionally in the different species ; the 

 primaries all rounded, with the shaft extremely attenuated at 

 the end, and in the outer curved inwards ; the secondaries 

 broad and abruptly rounded. Tail rather long, straight, slight- 

 ly emarginate, of twelve rather slender, weak feathers. 



The Woodwrens are very small and delicate birds, of ex- 

 tremely active habits, intimately allied to the Warblers on the 

 one hand, and to the Kinglets on the other. Three species 

 occur in Britain, where they are migratory, visiting us about 

 the middle or towards the end of April, and retiring in Sep- 

 tember. They frequent woods and bushy places, especially 

 in the lower grounds and by rivers, brooks, lakes and pools. 

 They feed entirely on insects of various kinds, larvse, pupae, and 

 worms, which they search for among the foliage, on the twigs, 

 and sometimes on the ground. Their flight is rapid, gliding, 

 and undulated, but generally short in ordinary circumstances. 

 Their song is short, lively, and melodious. They are generally 

 distributed in the wooded districts, but are not equally dispersed. 



