Birds. 8i 



238. Toxostoma rufum. 



BROWN THRASHER. 



A not common summer resident throughout the county. 

 Breeds. A common summer resident in the brush lots near 

 the east end of Oneida Lake. July 8, 1897, found them there 

 in large flocks. Arrives May 4 to 14. 



239. Troglodytes aedon aedon. 



HOUSE WREN. 



A summer resident, not nearly so common as formerly. In 

 1875 it was one of our most abundant species, nesting in dozens 

 of bird houses in the city and in every empty shed and wooden 

 bridge in the country. In the first list I noted it was not nearly 

 so common as formerly. And from that date (1886) till 1900 

 only one specimen was observed. About that time they began 

 to appear again, though they have never returned to anything 

 like their former numbers. Arrives April 25 to 30. 



240. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis. 



WINTER WREN. 



A common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives April 3 to 18. 

 During the summer of 1885 thirteen nests were found near 

 Holland Patent, and the birds were watched while building 

 -twelve of them, and not one of these was occupied. The thir- 

 teenth nest contained six eggs when found. One of these 

 nests, which was built but not occupied in 1885, was occupied 

 during 1886, and a brood of young raised in. it. A nest taken 

 July i6th, 1885 (undoubtedly a second laying, as a nest \vas 

 found with young in May), two miles north of Holland Patent, 

 was placed under the roots of a fallen tree, in a small cavity 

 in the roots, about two feet above the ground, composed of 

 moss, hemlock twigs, roots and pieces of rotten wood, and 

 lined, first with fine grass and then with grouse feathers and 

 horse hair; a compact mas§ of material, filling the cavity, and 



