314 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



States throughout the summer, and those which pass through 

 the country, arrive precisely at the season when insects are 

 springing into life and action ; so that the visit of two or three 

 weeks, which they make with us at that time is as valuable 

 to us as ten times the same amount of labor at any other part 

 of the year. 



The RUBY-CROWNED WREN, Regulus calendulus, is a beau- 

 tiful little bird, often seen here late in the autumn, on its return 

 from the northern regions. How far they go, and what are 

 their habits at that season, no one has yet been^able to inform 

 us. Audubon had no doubt of its breeding in Labrador, but he 

 did not succeed in finding its nest, neither has it been found 

 by any of the arctic expeditions. Wilson met with them in 

 Pennsylvania, in the summer, but they are not seen in Massa- 

 chusetts till the autumn, when they associate with the tit- 

 mouse, and move round in busy silence, wholly intent on the 

 work of gathering food. At the north, their song is equal to 

 that of the canary, in richness, variety and power. They are 

 not uncommon in the western parts of the State. 



The FIERY-CROWNED WREN, Regulus tricolor, has been ob- 

 tained by Dr. Brewer, in the vicinity of Boston. It rears its 

 young in Labrador, and is seen here on its return in October, 

 when it collects its food, consisting of the larvae and eggs of 

 insects, without regarding the presence of any observer. It is 

 said, that on striking the branch on which they are perched, 

 these little birds will fall dead, as the Canada jays are often 

 killed by their enemies, the hunters. 



The HOUSE-WREN, Troglodytes aedon. is a summer resi- 

 dent in the State. It is a spirited, restless, wayward little bird, 

 which treats the human race with great familiarity. It seems 

 to expect that lodgings shall be provided for it ; but if this 

 is not done, it will build under the eaves of houses or in barns. 

 Nothing in the vicinity of human dwellings troubles it but the 



