82 DENIZENS OF THE DESERT 



desert floors up to the upper limits of the yellow- 

 pine belt. The nesting-site is very similar to 

 that of the rock wrens, being generally a niche 

 in the rock ledges, though records are given of 

 nests being constructed about buildings and 

 even in tunnels. 



When once a canon wren takes up his resi- 

 dence in a certain place you may be quite cer- 

 tain that you will hear him about in that 

 vicinity through many seasons; for these birds, 

 like the rock wrens, are a home-loving species. 

 Four years ago a canon wren chose a little gorge 

 behind my house for its domicile, and every 

 year since in autumn, winter, spring, and sum- 

 mer I have heard almost daily his sweet song 

 ringing out clearly on the morning and evening 

 air. 



It seems strange, but this shy little bird will 

 sometimes frequent the habitations of man. 

 Dr. Chapman mentions the Mexican species of 

 Catherpes singing on the housetops of Guada- 

 lajara, and, at Palm Springs on the Colorado 

 Desert I every once in a while find them com- 

 ing into the village, in some instances even 

 entering the crudely built wickiups of the 



