CATUEIU'ES CONSPEUSUS. 421 



pursuit by retreating to the deeper recesses of the rocks, now and then 

 slyly ])eepinfr from some crevice but an instant, and then very unexpectedly 

 reap})earing at some distant place. While thus engaged, or while hopping 

 about, examining each crevice for a spider or other insect, it utters a simple 

 ringing note, which sounds somewhat like dink, uttered in a metallic tone ; 

 while now and then he pauses to pour forth his piei'cing song, which is of 

 such volume as to fill the surrounding canons with its reverberations. In 

 many of its movements it greatly resembles the common Rock Wren, par- 

 ticularly in its manner of bowing and swinging oddly from side to side, 

 Avhen its attention becomes attracted by the presence of an intruder. It was 

 frequently seen to cling to the roof or sides of a cave with the facility of a 

 Creepei',and on one occasion to fly perpendicularly uj) the face of a cliff for 

 a considerable height. 



It seems, however, that in other sections of the country, where it is 

 prol)ably more numerous, this species is not always thus shy and retired in 

 its habits; for Mr. Dresser (see "The Ibis," 1865, p. — ) mentions an interest- 

 ing instance where a pair built a nest in the wall of a dilapidated printing- 

 office in San Antonio, Texas, and were so tamo that they became great 

 favorites with the workmen. He also states that at Dr. Heermann's ranche, 

 on the Medina, they often built in cigar-boxes placed for their accommo- 

 dation. 



As stated above, the song of this bird is one of remarkable power; it 

 is also unique in its tone and modulation to such an extent that no other 

 song we ever heard resembles it at all. It consists of a series of cleai', 

 sharp, wlii.stling, detached notes, beginning in the liighest possible key, and 

 descending the scale with perfect regularity through an octave or more. 

 These notes are occasionally heard echoed and reechoed against tlie walls 

 of the canons, with continued reverberations, such is their power and 

 distinctness. 



List of specimens. 



345, i ad.; near Fort Cbiirchill, December?, 18G7. 5.75-7.50— 2.5S— 2.00— 0.83 

 —0.5(5 — 2.2'> — I.IS. Bill, slate-color, paler, and with a lilaceoiis tinge toward base of 

 lower uiaudible; iri.s, brown; tarsi and toes, black. (Type of var. consvcrsiis, Kidg- 

 way, I.e.] 



