316 



BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



FIG. 258. HOUSE WREN. 



Genus Nannus (Billb.) 

 321. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis (VieilL). WINTER WREN. 



Description. Deep reddish brown, waved with dusky; wings, tail, and belly posteriorly, 

 barred with darker. L., 3.75-4.20; W., 1.65-2.00; T., 1.00-1.30. 



Range. Eastern North America, breeding from the northern United States northward, and 

 in the higher mountains. Winters in the greater part of the eastern States. 



Range in North Carolina. Winter visitor throughout the State. Breeds on some of our highest 

 mountains. 



FIG. 259. WINTER WEEN. 



This species, easily known from our other wrens by its dark color, small size, 

 and ridiculously short tail, arrives late in September or early in October, and 

 does not leave until late in April. On some of the higher mountains, however, it 

 remains throughout the summer. Thus, Cairns records it as breeding on Black 

 Mountain; Rhoads found it in June, 1895, in the fir belt of Roan Mountain; Sher- 

 man heard one singing on Grandfather Mountain at 5,000 feet elevation in late 

 June, 1909; and, finally, Pearson heard two singing on Mount Mitchell on August 

 8, 1903, at an elevation of 6,500 feet. 



The nest is placed in the hollows of low stumps in damp situations, or in tangled 

 piles of fallen trees and limbs. It is constructed of small twigs, interwoven with 



