310 THE WESTERN WINTER WREN. 
but there is always time on the side to explore a new brush-heap, to scold a 
cat, or to indulge innumerable song-bursts. In singing his joyous trill the 
bird reminds one of a piece of fireworks called a “cascade,” for he fills the air 
with a brilliant bouquet of music, and is himself, one would think, nearly con- 
sumed by the violence of the effort. But the next moment the singer is 
carrying out last year’s feather bed by great beakfuls, or lugging into some 
cranny sticks ridiculously large for him. 
During the nesting season both birds are perfect little spitfires, assaulting 
mischievous prowlers with a fearlessness which knows no caution, and scolding 
in a voice which expresses the deepest scorn. The rasping note produced on 
such an occasion reminds one of the energetic use of a nutmeg grater by a 
determined housewife. 
In nesting, the Wrens make free of the haunts of men, but are in nowise 
dependent on them. Old cabins afford convenient crannies, forgotten augur- 
holes, tin cans, bird boxes, a sleeve or pocket in an old coat hanging in the 
woodshed,—anything with a cavity will do; but, by the same token, an unused 
Woodpecker’s hole, or a knot-hole in a stump miles from the haunts of men 
will do as well. In any case the cavity, be it big or little, must first be filled 
up with sticks, with just room at the top for entrance. Into this mass a deep 
hollow is sunk, and this is heavily lined with horse-hair, wool, feathers, bits of 
snake-skin, anything soft and ‘“‘comfy”’. : 
Since the Western House Wren makes a brief season with us. it appears 
to raise but one brood annually. 
No. 120. 
WESTERN WINTER WREN. 
A. O. U. No. 722a. Nannus hiemalis pacificus (Baird). 
Description.—Adult: Above warm dark brown, duller before, brighter on 
rump, sometimes obscurely waved or barred with dusky on back, wings, and tail; 
barring more distinct on edges of four or five outer primaries, where alternating 
with buffy; concealed white spots on rump scarce, or almost wanting; a pale 
brownish superciliary line; sides of head speckled brownish and buffy ; underparts 
everywhere finely mottled, speckled or barred,—on the throat and breast mingled 
brownish (Isabella-color) and buffy, below dusky and tawny, dusky predominat- 
ing over brown on flanks and crissum; bill comparatively short, straight, blackish 
above, lighter below; feet light brown. Length about 4.00 (101.6); wing 1.81 
(46) ; tail 1.18 (30); bill .46 (11.6); tarsus .71 (18). 
Recognition Marks.—Pygmy size; dark brown above, lighter below ; more 
or less speckled and barred all over; tail shorter than in preceding species. 
Nesting.—Nest: of moss and a few small twigs, lined heavily with wool, 
rabbits’ fur, hair and feathers, placed among roots of upturned tree, or in crannies 
