BIRDS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. 95 
extremes ; I have birds exhibiting every shade of color 
between, but remarkably variable. 
Upon these inconstant characters does the specific value 
of Americana rest! Very pertinent then are the grave 
doubts expressed by ornithologists as to its validity as a 
species. The following is an accurate description of the 
specific characters, with the more important synonymes, 
and a table of comparative measurements. 
Troglodytes aédon, Viriti. — House Wren. 
Troglodytes aédon. Viettot, Ois. Am. Sept. Il. 1807, 32; Pl. 
CVI —In. Nouv. Dict. XXXIV. 1819, 506. 
45 * Boxar., Obs. Wilson, 1825, No. 136. 
“ “ Rica, F. Bor. Am, Li. 1831, 316. 
- ae Aup.. Orn. Biog. I. 1€31, 427: V. 1839; Pi. 
LXXXIIf.— Ib. Syn. 1839, 75. — I. Birds 
Am. IT 1841, 125; Pl. VILL. 
sa Baikp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 367. 
ee ies Samuets, Orn. and Ool. of N. Eng. 1867, 196. ;. 
te He Cours, Proc. Essex Inst. V. 1867, 278. 
Sylvia domestica Wiuson, Am. Orn. I. 1808, 129; Pl. VIII 
Trogludytes fulous. Nurrauy, Man. [. 1832, 422. 
a a 
Ricu., List, 1837. 
Troglodytes Americanus. Avw., Orn. Biog. II. 1834, 452: V. 1839, 469, 
: Pl. 179. —Is. Birds Am. II. 1841, 128; Pl. 
119. —I. Syn. 1839, 75. 
st “ Barn, Birds N. Am. 1858, 368. 
“ oe Cours, Proc. Essex Inst. V. 1867, 278. 
Se. Cu. — Bill extremely variable in size, dark brown, 
paler at the base of the lower mandible. Upper parts dark 
brown, becoming more rufous on the rump and upper tail- 
coverts ; middle of back and upper tail-coverts faintly barred 
transversely with irregular lines of darker, The brown of 
the back is exceedingly changeable; when it becomes light- 
colored, these bars are almost, if not quite, obsolete ; wings 
distinctly and more regularly barred transversely with 
black ; tail reddish brown, irregularly but distinctly barred 
transversely with black, —sometimes this black has a lighter 
edging ; under parts dirty white, becoming pale brown on 
