64 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 



sprightly, fearless, excitable, plain-colored birds, with the 

 plumage more or less extensively barred with narrow darker 

 bands. The habit of holding the tail erect is very general. 

 If these birds did not mingle so many of their characteristic 

 scolding notes with their song, they would be considered very 

 musical. 



Key to the Species 



* Birds under 6| long, with wings under 3 long (Wrens). (B.) 



* Birds over 8 long, with wings over 8 long (Mockers). (A.) 



A. Whole upper parts a rich reddish-brown ; tail an inch longer than 



the wings ; bill about an inch long 3. Brown Thrasher. 



A. Slate-colored bird, with chestnut on the under tail coverts 



2. Catbird. 



A. Wings blackish, with white bases to the primaries ; outer tail 



feathers also white ; bill, | or less long 1. Mocking Bird. 



A. Back ashy-gray ; wings and tail darker and more 

 brownish; bill, IJ or more long and decurved.i The 

 Curve-billed Thrasher (707. Harporijnclius curvirds- 

 tris) of Mexico and New Mexico has been found in 

 Texas. 

 B. Back with black, white, and brownish streaks, extending length- 

 wise. (E.) 

 B. Back without streaks extending lengthwise, or bars extending cross- 

 wise ; a distinct white or whitish line over the eye. (D.) 

 B. Back without streaks, but with some cross bars ; no very distinct 

 whitish line over the eye. (C.) 



C. Under parts whitish ; tail about as long as the wings 



6. House Wren. 



C. Under parts brownish, barred with black ; tail a half inch shorter 



than the wings 7. Winter Wren. 



D. Tail like the back in color, reddish brown ; under parts buffy 



4. Carolina Wren. 



D. Tail feathers, except the barred middle pair, blackish, tipped with 



grayish ; under parts whitish 5. Bewick's Wren. 



E. Crown as well as back streaked with white ; bill under J long 



8. Short-billed Marsh Wren. 



E. Crown without white streaks, but a white line over eye ; bill J or 

 more long 9. Long-billed Marsh Wren. 



1. Mocking Bird (703. M)mus polygldttos). — A large, ashy- 

 colored, long-tailed bird, with much white on the center of 

 wing and outer tail feathers. This is the most noted song- 



