290 S YS TEMA TIC S YXOPSIS. — PA SSERES — OSCINES. 



(MniotiltidfT), the wrens have 10 primaries. Furthermore: " the inner toe is united by half 

 its basal joint to the middle toe, sometimes by the whole of this joint ; and the second joint 

 of the outer toe enters wholly or partially into this union, instead of the basal only." Nostrils 

 narrowly or broadly oval, exposed, overhung by a scale ; bill moderately or very slender, 

 straight or shghtly decurved, from half as long to about as long as head, unnotched in all our 

 genera; no evident rictal bristles; wings short, more or less rounded, with 10 primaries, the 

 1st short, but not strictly spurious; tail of variable length, much or little rounded, of broad 

 or narrow feathers, often held over the back. Tarsus scutellate, sometimes behind as well as 

 in front. 



Excluding some Old World forms of doubtful affinity, and excepting some species of 

 Anorthura proper, the Troglodytime are confined to America. About 100 species and sub- 

 species are recognized, usually referred to about 16 genera, most of which belong to tropical 

 America, where the group reaches its maximum development, — over 20 species of Heleodytes 

 being described, for instance. Of North American genera, Heleodytes, Catherpes, and Sal- 

 jnnctes are confined to the West, and represent a section distinguished by breadth of tail- 

 feathers, which widen toward the end. Species of all our other genera are common and. 

 familiar Eastern birds, much alike in disposition, manners, and habits ; the House Wren typi- 

 fies these. They are sprightly, fearless, and impudent little creatures, apt to show bad temper 

 when they fancy themselves aggrieved by cats or people, or anything else that is big and 

 unpleasant to them ; they quarrel a good deal, and are particularly spiteful towards mar- 

 tins and swallows, whose homes they often invade and occupy. Their song is bright and 

 hearty, and they are fond of their own music ; when disturbed at it they make a great ado 

 with noisy scolding. Part of them live in reedy swamps and marshes, where tliey hang 

 astonishingly big globular nests, with a little hole in one side, on tufts of rushes, and lay 6 

 or 8 dark-colored eggs ; the others nest anywhere, in shrubbery, knotholes, hollow stumps, 

 and other odd nooks. Nearly all are migratory ; one is stationary ; one comes to us in the fall 

 from the north, the rest in spring from the south. Insectivorous, and very prolific, laying sev- 

 eral sets of eggs each season. Plainly colored, the browns being the usual colors ; no red^ 

 blue, yellow, or green in any of our species. 



Analysis of Genera. 



Fan-tailed Wi-ens. Feet not strictly lamiuiplantar ; lateral plates divided, or not perfectly fused in one. 

 Tail broad, fan-shaped, the individual feathers widening toward the end. 

 Very large ; length about 8 inches. Tarsus decidedly scutellate behind. Lateral toes of equal lengths. 



Above streaked with white, below spotted with black Heleodytes 



Smaller, about G 00 long. Tarsus scutellate behind. Lateral toes of unequal lengths Salpinctes 



Smaller about 5.50 long. Tarsus scarcely scutellate behind. Lateral toes of unequal lengths . . . Catherpes 

 Thin-tailed Wrens. Feet strictly lamiuiplantar, as usual in Oseines. Tail thin, with narrow parallel-edged feathers. 

 Wings and tail more or less completely barred crosswise. 

 Large. Upper parts uniform in color, without streaks or bars ; rump with concealed white spots. Belly un- 

 marked ; a conspicuous superciliary stripe. 



Tail shorter or not longer than wing, all the feathers brown, distinctly barred Thryothoms {T. ludovicianus) 

 Tail decidedly longer than wing, blackish, not fully barred on all the feathers . Thryomanes (T. bewicki) 

 Small. Upper parts not uniform ; back more or less distinctly barred crosswise ; wings, tail, and flanks fully 

 barred. 



Tail about equal to wing ; outstretched feet reaching scarcely or not beyond its end Troglodytes (T. aedon) 

 Tail decidedly shorter than wing ; outstretched feet reaching far beyond its end . Anorthura (A. hyemalis) 

 Small. Upper parts not uniform ; back streaked lengthwise ; flanks scarcely or not barred. 



Bill scarcely ornot J as long as head ; crown streaked, like whole back .... Cis/olhorus (C. stellaris) 

 Bill about § as long as head ; crown plain ; streaks of back confined to interscapular region 



Telmntodytes (C. palustris} 



HELEOD'YTES. (Ctt. eXof. gen. tXeos, helo.'^, heleos, a marsh, meadow, or lowland : bvrrjs. 

 dutes, a diver, used as in Troglodytes, etc.. simply as one who enters in upon, or inhabits: 



