OF NEW ENGLAND. 77 



" except when on the wing. 21 Both this and the Carolina wren 

 are exceedingly quick in their movements, and if they are watch- 

 ing the collector when he is about to shoot at them, they are 

 pretty sure to dodge the charge ; although he finds the bushes 

 and foliage where the bird sat riddled by the shot, he usually 

 searches in vain for the specimen he is sure he ought to have 

 killed. When approached in old grassy fields or pine openings, 

 they will allow one to almost tread on them before attempting 

 to get away, and then, instead of taking to wing, often seek 

 to escape by running off like a mouse beneath the grass. The 

 term "house" wren, usually applied to this bird, is decidedly a 

 misnomer, since it frequents the fields, the thickets, and even 

 the forest, as much as the vicinity of houses. In the wilds of 

 Florida, where human habitations are few, there -is nothing 

 whatever in its habits to suggest this name." 



Other instances might be cited to show how very injudic- 

 iously names have often been\ bestowed upon birds, more so 

 than in the present case, with which there is but little fault to 

 find. Particularly should be condemned the practice of naming 

 species after the place where they were first captured, for the 

 title may afterwards become utterly inappropriate. 



(d). The House Wrens have a chirp not unlike that of an 

 insect, a peculiar chatter, and a charming song, which cannot 

 be satisfactorily described, as is the case with the music of 

 most other birds. This song consists of a few loud and 

 sprightty notes, followed by a loud and very characteristic 

 trill, which is its most prominent feature. It may often be 

 heard in the summer and in May. 



II. CISTOTHORUS 



(A) STELLARIS. Short-billed Marsh Wren. Meadow Wren. 

 (In New England, a rather rare summer-resident, found only 

 in the warmer parts.) 



(a). About 4^ inches long. Below, white. Breast and sides 



21 1 have hero taken the liberty of very slightly altering the text, without chang- 

 ing its meaning, that it might better accord with my own. 



