284 LAND BIRDS 
The effect was irresistibly funny when one ventured out 
to the edge of the nest and tilted its comically small tail 
in exact imitation of its elders. Unfortunately, as soon 
as our presence was discovered, fear spoiled the picture, 
for the nestling crouched a moment and then scampered 
back into the dark nesting place. As the nest was dis- 
covered on a one day’s trip, I do not know how old 
the nestlings were nor how much longer they remained 
in the nest. At this stage they were fully feathered, 
but the dots were much less distinct, shading into the 
general coloring. Otherwise they were like the adults. 
The coloring was so exactly in harmony with the rocks 
in which the nest was placed that the young birds were 
practically invisible at a distance of ten feet. 
719a. VIGORS WREN. — Thryomanes benicki spilurus. 
Famity : The Wrens, Thrashers, etc. 
Length : 5.00-5.50. 
Adults: Upper parts dark brown, with a conspicuous white superciliary 
stripe ; middle tail-feathers more grayish brown and barred ; outer 
feathers blackish, spotted and barred; under parts gray, flanks 
brownish. 
Young: Similar to adults. 
Geographical Distribution : California west of the Sierra Nevada to the 
coast. 
California Breeding Range: Humid coast belt from Monterey to Men- 
docino County, including San Francisco Bay region. 
Breeding Season : May. 
Nest: Placed in boxes, holes, fence posts, brush heaps, stumps, ete. ; 
made largely of sticks and grasses ; lined with feathers. 
Eggs: 5 to 7; white, finely speckled with reddish brown and lilac. Size 
0.64 X 0.50. 
THe Vigors Wren isa subspecies of the Bewick wren of 
the Central United States, and combines the characteris- 
