TROGLODYTID.E — THE WRENS. 145 



Thryothorus bewickii, var. bewickii, Bonap.* 



BEWICK'S WREN; LONG-TAILED HOUSE WREN. 



Troglodytes beivickii, Aud. Urn. Biog. J, 1831, 96, pi. xviii. — Ib. Birds Am. II, 1841, 120, 

 pi. cxviii. Thryothorus beivickii, Bonap. List, 1838. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 

 363. Tehnatodytes bewickii. Cab. Mus. Hein. I, 18.50, 78. Thryothorus bewickii, var. 

 bewickii, Baird, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 126. 



Sp. Char. Above dark rufous-brown ; rump and middle tail-feathers sometimes a little 

 paler, and very slightly tinged with gray, and together with the exposed surface of sec- 

 ondaries distinctly barred with dusky. Beneath soiled plumbeous-whitish ; flanks brown. 

 Crissum banded; ground-color of quills and tail-feathers brownish-black. Length, 5.50; 

 Aving, 2.25 : tail, 2.50. Length from nostril, .39 ; along gape, 70. 



Hab. Eastern Province of United States. \ 



Habits. This interesting species of Wren was first met with by Audubon 

 in Louisiana. A number of individuals were observed at the time, but noth- 

 ing of its history was known for several years afterward. In shape, color, 

 and habits it most resembled the Carolina Wren, but was less rapid in move- 

 ment, and not so lively. Fourteen years later Dr. Bachman again met with 

 birds of this species, in 1835, at the Salt Sulphur Springs of Virginia. They 

 comprised a family of two parents and five young, nearly full grown. Their 

 notes were like those of the AVinter Wren, neither louder nor more connected. 

 They seemed of restless haljit, creeping actively among fences, stumps, and 

 logs. One ascended an oak, nearly to the top, in the manner of a Creeper. 

 This species proved to be quite common in that locality, and to be the 

 only Wren abundant among the mountains. Dr. Gibbs detected it near 

 Columbia, S. C, and Dr. Trudeau afterwards found it quite common in 

 Louisiana. 



It was first observed breeding by Professor Baird in Carlisle, Penn., 

 in 1844. In all respects the nests and their location corresponded with 

 those of the common Wren. Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant in the 

 Indian Territory, and describes its habits as similar to those of other Wrens. 

 Lieutenant Couch observed this Wren at Santa Ptosalio in Mexico, early in 

 March. It was seeking its food among the low prickly-pears. He was 

 informed that they deposited their eggs wherever they could do so without 

 making much of a nest, inside the cabins under tlie rafters, but in New 

 Leon he found one of its nests quite elaborately constructed in a tliatched 

 roof. He descril)es the song as quite varied, and one of the sweetest that 

 he heard in tliat country. 



The late Dr. Gerhardt of Varnell's Station, Ga., met with this species 

 among the mountainous portions of Northern Georgia, where it generally 

 nested in holes in stumps. In one instance the nest was constructed five 

 inches in length, and four in diameter, with a cavity two inches in depth, and 

 the walls of great proportionate thickness, made externally of coarse roots, 

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