192 ZOOLOGY. 



white more anteriorly ; outer web of primaries similarly spotted with pale brownish white. An indistinct pale line over the 

 eye. Length, about 4. 50 inches ; extent, 5. 25 ; wing, 1. 66 ; tail, 1. 26. Iris, brown ; feet, brownish yellow. 



Hab. — North America generally. 



The winter wren is probably the most common species in the forests of the Territory, and 

 frequents even the densest parts of them, where its lively song is almost the only sound to be 

 heard. It is most commonly seen in winter as it retires in summer to the mountains to breed. 

 I observed young birds on the Coast mountains in July, but have never seen its nest. — C. 



The little winter wren is found at Fort Steilacoom more abundantly in winter than any other 

 species. It is very unsuspicious, alloAving a near approach. A specimen obtained near Fort 

 Steilacoom, in January, 1854, was shot in a dense fir forest, where, among fallen logs, &c., it 

 made its home. I have frequently seen birds of this species in similar situations during the 

 long, dreary, damp, Oregon winter, and fancy that they are in the habit of retiring to these 

 solitudes to await the coming of the bright days of spring, when they emerge, and, in company 

 with the T. Bewickii, are frequently found among the more open thickets. Individuals are, 

 however, found throughout winter in the more open situations. 



The species parkmanni & hyemalis are certainly much alike in habits, affecting the same 

 situation, and having much the same general characteristics. 



A bird of this species, apparently in good condition, killed in December, 1853, at Fort Steila- 

 coom, weighed exactly two drachms. — S. 



Family C E R T H I AD AE .— Th e Creepers. 

 CERTHIA AMERICANA, Bo nap. 



American Creeper. 



Certhia amerkana, Bonat. Consp. List, 1838. — Esicn. Haudb. I, 1851, 265 ; pi. dcxv, fig. 4102, 3. — Baird, Gen. 



Eep. Birds, p. 372. 

 Certhia familiaris, Vieiixot, Ois. Am. Sept. II. 1807, 70. — Wilson, Am. Orn. I, 1808, 122 ; pi. viii. — Aun. Orn. 



Biog. V, 1839, 158 ; pi. 415 — Ib Syn. 1839, 73.— Is. Birds Amer. II, 1841, 109 ; pi. 115. 

 ? Certhia mexicana, " Glooee, Handbuch," Keiohenbacd, Haudbuch Spec. Orn. I, 1851, 265; pi. dlxii, fig. 3841, 



2.— Ib. Sclatek, Pr. Zool. Soc. 1856, 290. 



Sp. Ch. — Bill about the length of the head. Above dark brown, with a slightly rufous shade, each feather streaked 

 centrally but not abruptly with whitish ; rump rusty. Beneath almost silky white ; the under tail coverts with a faint rusty 

 tinge. A white streak over the eye ; the ear coverts streaked with whitish. TaU feathers brown centrally, the edges paler 

 yellowish brown. Wings with a transverse bar of pale reddish white across both webs. 



Length, 5. 50 ; wing, 2. 60 ; tail, 2. 90. (No. 827.) 



Ilab. — North America generally. 



The brown creeper is abundant in the forests, but difficult to see from its similarity in color 

 to the bark along which it cree^DS. It appears to reside constantly in the Territory. — C. 



I have obtained several specimens of the American creeper in the oak groves in the vicinity 

 of Fort Steilacoom. In habits the Oregon bird resembles that of the Atlantic States. — S. 



SITTA CANADENSIS, Linn. 



Red-beUled Nuthatch. 



Sitta canadensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 177.— Nottall, Man. I, 1832, 583.— AtiD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 24 ; V, 

 474; pi. 108.— Ib. Birds Amer. IV, 179; pi. 248.— Bon. Consp. 1850, 227.— Baibd, Gen. Kep. 

 Birds, p. 376. 



