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being the longest. The tail is short, 

 graduated, and usually carried erect. 

 The plumage is mostly dull in color, 

 with brown or gray predominating. 



Wrens are usually found on low 

 shrubs, or trees near the ground, where 

 they feed largely on insects. 



Only a few of the 125 species belong- 

 ing to this family are found in the Old 

 World. China has five species, and 

 the Yangtse Valley one. 



THE EASTEEN WREN. 



ANORTHURA FUMIGATA (t. & S.) 



Description. — Length three and one 

 half inches. A yellowish eyebrow. 

 Plumage dark rufous brown, a little 

 lighter on the under parts. Rump, 

 wings, and tail, with many fine 

 transverse black bars. Feathers on 

 the sides of the head and the neck 

 with light centers. Lower breast to 

 under tail coverts barred. 



This bird differs from the European 

 species (Anorthura parvulus) chiefly 

 in being slightly darker. 



Distribution. — Europe and Asia, 

 including North China and Japan. A 

 winter visitant in the Yangtse Valley. 



Family, Sylviidae, The Old World Warblers. 



The Old World Warblers must be 

 clearly distinguished from the Amer- 

 ican, or Wood Warblers (Mniotiltidae), 

 which are an entirely different Family. 



The Sylviidae have a rather slender 

 bill, both mandibles with smooth edges, 

 or the upper one only with a simple 

 notch. The tarsus is booted ; the 

 nostrils are clear of the line of the 

 forehead; and the tongue is non-tubular. 

 The wings are comparatively short and 



