Birds of Allegany Park 265 



by orchards and shade trees or rather open forest, as of chestnut 

 and oak. Both birds which I noted were in the vicinity of orchards. 



This species is songless, but at times is quite noisy. A common 

 note is a high-pitched, clear whistle, " wheep," which is often fol- 

 lowed by a lower and harsher " raa raa raa." The first note can be 

 imitated, and sometimes in the mating season an imitation will 

 bring the bird. 



The nest is placed in a hole in a tree, or similar cavity. These 

 birds sometimes nest in bird boxes and can be encouraged to stay 

 in a locality by the erection of such boxes. The nest is constructed 

 of grasses and roots, often with a piece of cast snake-skin added. 



BIRDS ABOUT BUILDINGS 



It is an interesting fact that a number of birds that formerly lived 

 and nested under natural conditions, have found in the buildings 

 and other structures of man conditions, wholly suitable for their 

 homes. These birds, to a greater or less extent, have changed their 

 manner of nesting and now are found more commonly about houses, 

 barns, sheds, bridges and similar structures than in their former 

 natural habitats. 



Very rarely now do the Barn Swallow and Chimney Swift nest in 

 their old natural way in caves or hollow trees. In eastern United 

 States this is also true of the Cliff Swallow, whose other name, 

 Eave Swallow, is here more fitting. In a way, it might be appro- 

 priate to create another ecological classification, " Birds of the 

 Air," and include all the Swallows, the Chimney Swift and the 

 Nighthawk. It is only the character of the nesting site that makes 

 them birds of buildings, their food consisting almost entirely of 

 winged insects obtained from the air. 



In addition to the species here listed, the Flicker, Nighthawk, 

 Tree Swallow, Robin and -Bluebird may also sometimes be classed 

 as birds about buildings. 



House Wren. Troglodytes acdon aedon Vieill. 



This bird is much smaller than the English Sparrow. The upper 

 parts are plain grayish brown, barred on the wings and tail with 

 black. The under parts are grayish white without distinctive mark- 

 ings. While it has no very distinctive marks this bird is easily 

 known from other small brown birds such as the sparrows, by its 

 barred rather than striped plumage, and its sharp, slightly curved 

 bill. 



The House Wren is abundant about the farm lands of the Park, 

 being found in old orchards and about buildings, where it keeps up 

 an active search for small caterpillars and other insects that form 

 the bulk of its food, the male singing incessantly. 



The song is a succession of short, rapid notes, usually beginning 

 with a few low-pitched ones, then suddenly bursting out in an 

 almost explosive manner, with notes that are higher and louder, then 

 falling again in pitch to its termination. It is sung frequently, all 



