SVr.VIID.K ; rARin.K : SITTin.lv ; CERTIITID.K ;— TROGLODVTID.K. ,15 



FAMILY TROGLODYTID/E: WRENS. 



Naturally the Long-billed Marsh Wren ( Tcbnatodytcs palustris Baird) 

 is wanting in the Catskills; though sections inhabited by it'"are plainly 

 visible from the mountain tops. 



The Short-billed Marsh Wren is of too uncertain distribution to be liere 

 considered. 



Trogloilytes domesticus (Bartr.) Coues. House Wren. 



Not uncommon, thouo-h more retirino- and less domesticated in 



o o 



habits than in more settled regions; its song, also, seeming often to 

 be more subdued On different occasions it was met with in wild 

 and uninhabited localities, and none were noticed domiciled about 

 the farm buildings in the valley. These facts ma)- be taken as in- 

 dicative ot the primitive habits of the species, before the advent of 

 civilization, and sufficiently e.xplain the supposed diverse habits from 

 it of Audubon's " W^ood \\'ren. " 



Aiiortlmra troglodytes hiemalis (Wils.) Coues. W^inter \\ ren. 



This little minstrel of the mountain woods inhabits the wildest re- 

 treats from the higher valleys to the highest mountain tops. Even 

 the summit of vSlide Mountain had not proved too distant for its tiny 

 wings, and on this remote height Dr. Fisher came upon one at work 

 on its nest. The upturned roots of a fallen tree had been selected 

 as a building site, and within a cavity, extending behind a flat stone 

 inlaid in the perpendicular face of the earthy mass, the nest was be- 

 ing framed. The substructure alone had been laid, consisting mainly 

 of moss with a few dried plant stems; and these materials had been 

 disposed so as to reduce the natural entrance to a small circular open- 

 ing. This was two feet above the bottom of the concavity remaining 

 from the uptorn foundations of the tree, and was so inconspicuous 

 that had not the diminutive architect been surprised at work its 

 secret would never have been disclosed. 



This bird is a common inhabitant of the mountains throughout the 

 Catskill group. Often it is found near the noisy brooks, often in the 

 silent depths of the forest; but in whatever situation, mossy logs, 

 rocks and dampness, with the negative requisite of absence of sun- 

 light, seem to be all that is necessary to render its happiness com- 

 plete, hi such situations as may readily be imagined from these 

 given characteristics, it makes its home; and, though so retiring in 

 disposition and furtive in movements as rarely to allow a glimpse of 

 itself, small and sombre-hued, its voice continually tells of its presence. 

 There is an indescribable effect from the song of this bird peculiarly 



