94 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



and on the elm-trees in the streets of the villages. Said 

 to build its nest in May in holes of trees. 



SITTID.E, — The Nuthatches. 



1 7. Sitta Carolinensis, Gm. — White-bellied Nut- 

 hatch. Common resident, perhaps more so during spring 

 and autumn ; breeds. I have seen the young fully fledged 

 by June 6th. 



18. Sitta Canadensis, Lixx. — Red-bellied Nuthatch. 

 Rather common winter resident. Arrives about the mid- 

 dle of October. Perhaps a few remain to breed, as I have 

 taken it in the latter part of May. Found in the woods 

 everywhere. 



TROGLODYTID.E, — The Wrens. 



19. Troglodytes aedon, Vieill. — House Wren. 

 Common summer resident, but exceedingly local in its 

 distribution. In Newton it is very rare during the breed- 

 ing-season, while in Cambridge it breeds abundantly. Ar- 

 rives from April 30th to May 20th ; leaves about Oc- 

 tober 1st. 



After a critical examination of a large series of Wrens 

 I have come to the conclusion that the so-called " Wood 

 Wren" (Troglodytes Americanus, And.) is this species in 

 unusually dark plumage. I have in my possession birds 

 exhibiting the well-known marks of immaturity, as gene- 

 rally paler colors, with spots upon the wings. With such 

 birds the superciliary stripe is better denned. But this 

 character is variable, and cannot be depended upon. T 

 have also birds with generally darker colors, with the 

 superciliary stripe wanting or barely perceptible. The 

 wings are unspotted, and the breast exhibits faint undu- 

 lating transverse lines or bars of darker. These arc the 



