The Bewick Wrens 
ditty of bewicki proper, sprightly as it is, spilurus and nesophilus and 
their clan have introduced so many trills and flourishes that the original 
motif has been almost lost to sight. Calophonus (having a beautiful 
voice) Oberholser calls a variety found still further north, but the name 
is descriptive of all western forms; and so important an element is the 
song of the Bewick in the western chorus that there are many sections 
where it bulks larger than that of any other species. 
The Bewick Wren freely invades the haunts of men; it even disputes 
much territory 
claimed by the House 
Wren (Troglodytes 
a'edon parkmani ) but 
timberslashings, rocky 
hillsides, sunny arro- 
yos, and the chaparral 
are more to its taste. 
Thus, the Canon 
Wren, the Rock 
Wren, the House 
Wren, the Winter 
Wren, and the Wren- 
Tit are brought into 
active competition with it; 
and while each in turn goes 
to places where the Bewick 
Wren will not follow, it is 
the Bewick Wren which 
dominates the general situ- 
ation. Whether in 
chaparral or log-heap 
or cactus bed, therefore, 
the Bewick Wren knows his 
ground. And he lets you 
see exactly as much of him¬ 
self as he intends and no 
more. If there is any 
unusual appearance or noise 
which gives promise of mis¬ 
chief afoot, then the Bewick 
Wren is the first to respond. 
Flitting, gliding, tittering, 
Taken in Los Angeles County 
Photo by Wright M. Pierce 
NEST OF SAN DIEGO WREN IN DECOY BOX 
671 
