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GENUS II.— TROGLODYTES, Cuv. WREN. 



Bill of moderate length, or nearly as long as the head, slender, slightly 

 arched, much compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal 

 line slightly convex, the edges a little inflected toward the end, the notches 

 slight, the tip rather acute; lower mandible with the angle rather long and 

 narrow, the outline slightly decurved, the sides erect and convex, the edges 

 inclinate, the tip acute. Nostrils oblong, operculate, exposed. Head oblong; 

 neck short; body slender. Feet of ordinary length, rather strong; tarsus 

 longer than the middle toe, compressed, with eight anterior distinct scutella; 

 toes of moderate size, the third and fourth united at the base, the first very 

 large, the lateral nearly equal; claws rather long, moderately arched, much 

 compressed, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles obsolete. 

 Wings of moderate length, or short, convex, much rounded; the first quill 

 very small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail rather short, rounded, of 

 twelve slightly arched, weak, rounded feathers. 



ROCK WREN. 



Troglodytes obsoletus, Say. 

 PLATE CXVL— Adult Female. 



This species was discovered by some of Major Long's exploring party, 

 and first described by Mr. Thomas Say. My friend Thomas Nuttall, 

 who had opportunities of studying its habits, during his recent journey in 

 company with Mr. Townsend, has assured me that they are very similar to 

 those of the other Wrens. The figure in the plate was taken from an adult 

 female, given to me by Mr. Nuttall; and I have since then obtained two 

 males. 



"On the 21st of June," says Mr. Nuttall, "on the ledges of the bluffs 



Vol. II. 19 



