92 Synopsis of the Birds 



26. TROGLODYTES. 



Motacilla, L. Gm. Cuv. III. Sylvia, Lath. Temm. Ranz 

 Troglodytes, Thryothorus, Pteill. 



Bill very slender, subulate, somewhat arched and elon- 

 gated, acute, compressed, entire ; mandibles equal : nostrils 

 basal, oval, half closed by a membrane, obvious : tongue 

 cartilaginous, slender, terminated by two or three small, 

 rigid bristles. Feet slender; tarsus longer than the middle 

 toe ; inner toe free ; posterior with a larger nail. Wings 

 short, concave, rounded, with a spurious feather ; third, fourth, 

 and fifth primaries longest. 



Female and young hardly differ in plumage from the adult 

 male. Moult annually. Plumage dull, thick, and long. 

 Body rounded. 



Active and eccentric in their movements : tail constantly 

 erected. Fond of prying into caves and dark places : hide 

 in thickets and brambles. Feed exclusively on insects, which 

 they seek among dead branches, wood-piles, &tc. Nest con- 

 structed with much art ; eggs rather nnmerous. 



SUBGENUS I. TROGLODYTES. 



Troglodytes, Vie ill. 



Bill slender from the base. Hind toe equal to the inner. 

 Spurious feather moderate. 



Almost domestic, building on or near houses. Sing agree- 

 ably. 



Found in both continents. 



147. Troglodytes .edoin, Vieill. Brown, banded with black : 

 beneath dull grayish, with obsolete bands ; tail long, rounded. 



House Wren, Sylvia domesttca, Wils. Am. Orn. i. p. 129- 

 pi. 3. Jig. 3. Sylvia furva? Lath. (13.) 



Inhabits throughout the Union during summer: common. 



