54 LlFE-HlSTORlES OF BIRDS 



very tame and unsuspicious, and will permit a 

 near approach without manifesting the least fear. 

 It has often exhibited in our presence, those social 

 traits so characteristic of the House Wren, a very 

 distant relative. During inclement weather and 

 the dreary winter nights, it shelters itself in the 

 deserted nest of some species of woodpecker. 

 When the cold is unusually severe, its presence is 

 conspicuously scarce; but on the return of mild 

 days, it is tolerably abundant. 



During the early vernal and autumnal months 

 it freely associates with the song and tree- 

 sparrows, and often condescends to come down 

 from its airy heights, to grovel with the latter; and 

 when sorely pressed will partake of the fare which 

 the kind-hearted cook has thrown out for her 

 feathered pets. 



We have been informed by Mr. John Strouse, of 

 Chestnut Hill, that males and females of this 

 species haV^e been observed by him during every 

 month of the year. When the warm days of May 

 . have returned to gladden the earth, it is no longer 

 to be seen in our yards; but has retired to the 

 gloomy thickets where it pursues its ever busy.life. 

 It, doubtless, breeds amid the forests that crown the 

 hills of the Wissahickon, as it has frequently been 

 seen in them by the gentleman just referred to, 

 during the breeding-period. 



Much yet remains to be learned concerning the 

 nesting-habits and distribution of this species 

 during the breeding-season. It is discovered at 



