TROGLODYTES BOREALIS. 
(NORTHERN WREN.) 
“ Sylvia troglodytes, Lath.,” Faber, Leben d. hochn. Vogel, p. 321 6 (1826, nec Lath.). 
“ Troglodytes europeus, Leach,” P. A. Holm, Nat. Tids. 1847, p. 482 (nec Leach). 
Troglodytes punctatus auct., P. A. Holm, tom. cit. p. 523. 
Troglodytes borealis, J. C. H. Fischer, J. f. Orn. 1861, p. 14. 
“ Troglodytes parvulus, Koch,” Preyer, Reise n. Island, p. 393 (1862, nec Koch). 
Troglodytes borealis, Fischer, Newton in Baring-Gould’s Iceland, App. A, p. 408 (1863). 
Gjerdesmutte, Danish; Mousabrouir, Feroese ; Musarbrodir, Musarrindill, Icelandic. 
Figura unica. 
J.C. H. Fischer, J. f. Orn. 1861, pl. i. 
Ad. Troglodyte parvulo persimilis, sed major et saturatior, corpore subtus usque ad pectus conspicué fasciato, 
rostro majore et robustiore, pedibus robustioribus. 
Adult Male (Feroes). Resembles Troglodytes parvulus in general colour and markings, but is darker and 
has the underparts more strongly barred; beak rather longer than in 7. parvulus and much stouter, 
measuring in width at the base of the lower mandible 0°3 against 0:15 in 7. parvulus ; legs and feet 
much stouter than in that species, measuring—tarsus 0°88, hind toe with claw 0°68, against tarsus 0°6, 
and hind toe with claw 0°55; soft parts as in the common Wren. Total length about 4 inches, 
culmen 0°65, wing 2:1, tail 1:5, tarsus 0°88. 
Tus northern representative of our common Wren, differing chiefly in being much larger and 
stouter-built than Troglodytes parvulus, is found only in Iceland and the Feroe Islands, from 
which latter locality it was first described by Mr. J. C. H. Fischer in 1861. In Iceland it is 
said by Preyer (/. c.) to be rather rare, and he only met with it in the thickets of the Finjoska- 
dalur. Professor Newton, speaking of this Icelandic Wren, says that he considers it to. be 
midway between our bird and Troglodytes aédon of North America. 
In the Feroes this species appears to be tolerably common, especially where neither cats 
nor rats are found. Mr. Fischer states that it frequents the neighbourhood of habitations, and 
is protected by the inhabitants, who do not like to see it molested, and hence he had at first some 
difficulty in procuring skins and eggs. Captain Feilden, who visited the Feroes this last spring, 
brought back nest, eggs, and skins of the Northern Wren, which he has kindly lent to me for 
examination. Writing in the ‘ Zoologist,’ this gentleman states that “this species of Wren is 
spread throughout the Feroe Islands, abundant in those parts where there are no rats or mice, 
and consequently where cats are not encouraged ; but where the cat is numerous you may look 
in vain for this sweet songster. I made my first acquaintance with it on the Island of Skue on 
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