300 AGRICULTURAL REPORT 



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gardener to save a raspberry ; and some hate it not kiAwing why. In a word, 

 cxceptinp^ the poor crow, 1 know no bird more generally despised and tor- 

 mented than tliis charming songster." (And.) 



GO. Genus Ilarpnr/iync/iua, (Cab., 1845.) 

 1. H. rvfiis, (Linn.,) Cab., brown thrush. Summer resident, common; 

 omnivorus. This is another mimic rival of the mocking bird. " Its food con- 

 sists of worms and insects generally ; also caterpillars, beetles, and other cole- 

 opterous tribes, as well as various kinds of berries." (Nutt.) He may scratch 

 a few hills of corn or plunder a few cherries, but rest assured that his services 

 have already paid for these ; and his music, while it is sweeter, will cost less 

 than that of the flute or the piano. 



61. Genus Thriothorus, (Vieill., 1816.) 



1. T. ludovicianu-t, (Lath.,) Bon., Carolina wren. Resident, frequent ; in- 

 sectivorous. This has much the habit of the common house wren, exploring 

 dark nooks and corners, and piles of wood, brush, &c., Avhere it finds spiders, 

 moths, and other insects in abundance. Its powers of song and mimicry are 

 excelled by few birds. 



2. T. bewickii, (Aud.,) Bon., Bewick's wren. Resident; insectivorous; 

 Nearly related to the foregoing, its habits are very similar, feeding on spiders, 

 moths, and other insects. 



Q2. Genus CistothoruS; (Cab., 1851.) 



1. C. jyalustris, ( Wils.,) Cab., long-billed marsh wren. Summer resident, 

 frequent about marshes ; insectivorous. Feeds on aquatic insects and others 

 which frequent wet places. 



2. C. stellaris, (Licht.,) Cab., short-billed marsh wren. Summer resident, 

 frequent ; insectivorous. Habits similar to the preceding. Secluded among 

 the brushwood aud rank gra-^s of their favorite swamps, they elude observation. 



63. Genus Tragi oihjU's, (Vieill, 1807.) 



1. T. cedon, (Vieill., 1807,) house wren. Summer resident, common; 

 insectivorous. " Our bird keeps up frequent squabbles with his neighbors, like 

 other busybodies that are never happy but in mischief. He is still, upon the 

 whole, a real friend to the farmer and horticulturist, by the number of inju- 

 rious insects and their destructive larvae, on which he and his numerous family 

 subsist." (Nutt.) 



2. T. amcricana, (Aud., 1834,) wood wren. 



Observation. — This is perhaps too near the preceding species to warrant a 

 separate notice. 



3. T. hyemalis, (Wils.,) Vieill., winter wren. Winter resident, frequent ; 

 insectivorous. Its habits are much like those of the house wren ; but is dis- 

 tinguished by season, the length of the tail, and the food which season may 

 afford. 



XVII. FAftHLY CERTIIIIDyE, (THE CREEPERS.) 



64. Genus Certhia, (Linn., 1735.) 



1. C. amcricana, (Vieill.,) Bon., American creeper. Resident, frequent, 

 but eludes observation ; insectivorous. " Its food consists chiefly of ants, lar- 

 vae, and small insects, and small particles of lichens ; and if one be placed near 

 the nose, it is generally found to emit an odor like that of ants." (Aud.) 



65. Genus tiiita, (Linn., 1735.) 



1. S. caroUncnsis, (Gmel., 1788,) white-bellied nuthatch. Resident, fre- 

 quent ; insectivorous. " It searches and shells off the bark, in quest of his 

 lurking prey of spiders, ants, insects, and their larvae in general. (Nutt.) 



a. S. canadensis, (Linn., 176G,) red-bellied nuthatch. Winter resident, 

 rare in forests ; insectivoi-ous. The scarcity of insect food in winter often 

 obliges our sojourner to resort to the seeds of the pine for subsistence. 



