. 
94. THE NATURALISTS GUIDE. 
and on the elm-trees in the streets of the villages. Said 
to build its nest in May in holes of trees. 
SITTIDA, — THe NutHatcHes. 
17. 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, Linn.— 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 
every where. 
TROGLODYTID2, — THe Wrens. 
19. Troglodytes aédon, Vinitt. — 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 Ist. 
After a critical examination of a large series of Wrens 
I have come to the conclusion that the so-called ‘“ Wood 
Wren” (T'roglodytes Americanus, Aud.) 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 defined. But this 
character is variable, and cannot be depended upon. I 
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 are the 
