THE WRENS. 105 
The extent of country over which he roams is very 
wide, reaching from Texas to Canada, and as far west 
as the Columbia river. In Florida his place is sup- 
plied by the Piping Fly-catcher, which he so nearly 
resembles that they might by some be mistaken for 
the same bird, being possessed of the same active 
and courageous disposition when intruded upon by a 
stranger. 
We have also abounding in our woods during the 
summer months the Great Crested Fly-catcher and 
the Wood Pewee, the former a noisy, active fellow, 
often frequenting the orchard about cherry time, the 
latter a sprightly little bird about the size of a Spar- 
row, whose sweet notes of “ Powee! Powee! Peto- 
way!” prolonged with a mournful accent, may be 
heard from morning till evening; even during the 
heated hours of noon, when most other birds are 
silent, this little songster still utters his plaintive 
ditty with a sweet earnestness that cannot fail to 
attract attention. 
We will now take up the families of the more per- 
fect singing birds, though with regret that our limits 
will not permit a foray into the lands of sun and 
flowers, the tropical home of the lovely Cotingas, 
which are represented by a few species in the south- 
western regions of our country. 
We will first notice the Wrens and Titmice. With 
the former almost every one has some acquaintance. 
There are several very beautiful species inhabiting 
the country west of the Mississippi, but our know- 
ledge of them is but limited. Of those further east- 
