WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 297 



generis. There is nothing like them east of the one- 

 hundredth meridian and they are well worth a long 

 journey to study. 



The Wren-tit is a unique combination, as his name 

 implies. Exceedingly difficult to watch, he slips along 

 the ground under the chaparral and through fields of 

 dead mustard stalks, eluding observation as well as 

 pursuit by scooting into the thickest patches of weeds, 

 until the patience of the student is exhausted and he 

 drops down to rest in a shady corner. This is really 

 the best thing to do, for if one keeps still long enough 

 the bird is sure to come into view, and often, impelled 

 by curiosity, will approach within a watchable distance. 

 With tail atilt over its back, like a wren, it sidles up the 

 dry stalks, searching diligently for insects, but with one 

 eye on its visitor. A slight movement on your part 

 will send it diving into the thick tangle out of sight 

 again, and only its harsh, scolding notes will betray its 

 whereabouts. Its long tail is the Wren-tit's most 

 expressive feature, for it wags up and down in excite- 

 ment or anger, and it shakes when the bird sings, as if 

 it had some part in helping on the music. The song 

 is described as a " clear ringing voice running down 

 the scale slowly, distinctly, ' keep, keep, keep, keep-it, 

 keep-it,' ending in a trill." At other times it is a 

 slow, monotonous singing note like " pee-pee-pee-peep," 

 and again a varied succession of whistles. In the early 

 spring the Wren-tits wander in pairs, keeping up a 

 constant call and answer, somewhat like a quick " pit- 

 pit, prrrrt." 



