3U) THE WESTERN WINTER m<EN. 



but llicrc is always time on the side to exjjlore a new l)nisli-l)eai», to scold a 

 cat, or to indulge innumerable snng-bursts. In singing bis joyous trill tbe 

 bird reminds one of a piece of fnewurks called a "cascade," fur be fills tbe air 

 with a brilliant l>)U(|uet nf music, and is himself, one would tiiink, nearly con- 

 sumed by tbe violence of tiie elTcjrt. Hut tbe next moment tbe singer is 

 carrying out last year's feather bed by great ijcakfuls, .»r lugging inti» skuk- 

 cranny sticks ridiculously large for him. 



During tiie nesting season IxUb birds are perfect little spitfires, assaulting 

 mischievous prowlers with a fearlessness wbicli knows no caution, and scolding 

 in a voice wbicli expresses the deepest scorn. The rasping note jiroduced on 

 such an occasion reminds one of the energetic use of a nutmeg grater by a 

 determined liousewife. 



In nesting, tlie Wrens make free of the haunts of men. but are in imwisc 

 dejiendenl on liiem. Old cabins alTord convenient crannies, forgotten augur- 

 iioles, till cans, bird boxes, a sleeve or jjocket in an old coat banging in the 

 woodshed, — anything with a cavity will tlo; but, by tlie same token, an unused 

 Woodpecker's hole, or a knot-liole 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 tlie to]) for entrance. Into this mass a deep 

 hollow is sunk, ami this is heavily lined witli horse-iiair. wool, feathers, bits of 

 snake-skin, anything soft and "comfy". 



Since the Western House Wren makes a brief season with ii^ i' appears 

 to raise but oiu' brood annually. 



No. 120. 



WESTERN WINTER WREN. 



A. O. V. No. 72J a. Nanmis hicmalis pacificus (Raird). 



Description. — .Idiill: .\1h>vi- warm dark l)ni\vii. duller before, brijjlitcr on 

 riimi). somctiim-^ nliscureiy waved or liarred with dusky on hack. wing*, and tail; 

 barring more distinct on edges of four or five outer primaries. wIktc alternating 

 with InifTy: concealed white si)ots on rump scarce, or almost wanting: a pale 

 brownish su|)erciliary line: sides of bead speckled brownish and huffy: un<lerparts 

 evervwhere finely mottled, speckled or barred. — on the throat and breast mingled 

 brownish (Isabella-color) and huffy, below dusky and tawny, ilusky |)re<lnniinat- 

 ing over Virowii on flanks and crissum; bill conii)aratively short, straight, blackish 

 above, lighter below: feet light brown. Length alxiut 4.00 (101.6); wing 1.81 

 (461; tail i.iS (.^o): bill .4G (ii.ri): tarsus .71 (18). 



Recognition Marks. — rygmy size: dark brown alKive. lighter below: more 

 or less speckled and barred all over: tail shorter than in preceding species. 



Nesting. — \csl: 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 



