94 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



and on the elm-trees in the streets of the villages. Said 

 to build its nest in May in holes of trees. 







SITTID^E, THE NUTHATCHES. 



1 7. Sitta Carolinensis, GM. White-bellied Nut- 

 hatch. Common resident, perhaps more so during spring 

 and autumn ; breeds. I have seen the young fully fledged 

 by June 6th. 



18. Sitta Canadensis, LINX. Red-bellied Nuthatch. 

 Rather common winter resident. Arrives about the mid- 

 die of October. Perhaps a few remain to breed, as I have 

 taken it in the latter part of May. Found in the woods 

 everywhere. 



TROGLODYTID.E, THE WRENS. 



19. Troglodytes aedon, VIEILL. House Wren. 

 Common summer resident, but exceedingly local in its 

 distribution. In Newton it is very rare during the breed- 

 ing-season, while in Cambridge it breeds abundantly. Ar- 

 rives from April 30th to May 20th ; leaves about Oc- 

 tober 1st. 



After a critical examination of a large series of Wrens 

 I have come to the conclusion that the so-called " Wood 

 Wren" (Troglodyte* America nu$, Aud.) is this species in 

 unusually dark plumage. I have in my possession birds 

 exhibiting the well-known marks of immaturity, as gene- 

 rally paler colors, with spots upon the wings. With such 

 birds the superciliary stripe is better denned. But this 

 character is variable, and cannot be depended upon. I 

 have also birds with generally darker colors, with the 

 superciliary stripe wanting or barely perceptible. The 

 wings are unspotted, and the breast exhibits faint undu- 

 lating transverse lines or bars of darker. These are the 



