220 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



brown ; the brown markings are generally darker colored about the 

 larger end, though the lighter ground color- is often almost entirely 

 hidden by the brown coloration. With us at least two broods are 

 raised in a season. The House Wren feeds on beetles, spiders, flies, 

 " moth-flies," grasshoppers and larvae. 



722. Troglodytes hiemalis. VIEILL. 



Winter Wren. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length about 4 ; extent about 6 inches ; upper bill, end of lower, tarsi and eyes 

 brown, rest of lower bill and toes yellowish-brown. Above reddish-brown, darkest 

 on head, brightest on rump and tail. Everywhere except on head and upper part 

 of back with transverse bars of dusky and lighter ; lower parts pale reddish-brown ; 

 belly, flanks and crissum strongly barred with blackish and wnitish ; the outer webs 

 of several primaries barred with white and dusky ; an obscure line over eye, and 

 streaks or spots on sides of head and neck whitish. 



Hab. Eastern North America generally, breeding from the northern parts of the 

 United States northward, and wintering from about its southern breeding limit 

 southward. 



Common winter resident from early in October to about the middle 

 of April. During its residence with us, frequents chiefly overhanging 

 banks of streams, the projecting or upturned roots of trees, brush 

 piles and dead logs, in woods or thickets near watery places. The 

 sharp chirr of this sly and secretive little creature may often be 

 heard though the bird is hidden from view in wood piles about 

 houses, where it comes to seek insects and larvas, on which it feeds 

 exclusively. I have never seen the nest or eggs of the Winter Wren. 

 The nest is said to be built generally in u thick coniferous woods," in 

 a hole or crevice of a stump or log. close to the ground, and con- 

 structed of moss, twigs, lichens, lined with feathers or hair. u Eggs 

 5-8, .65 by .48, pure white, minutely dotted with reddish-brown and 

 purplish." ( Coues). 



FAMILY PARID2B. NUTHATCHES AND TITS. 

 SUBFAMILY SITTINGS. ., NUTHATCHES. 



GENUS SITTA. LINNAEUS. 

 727. Sitta carolinensis. LATH. 



White-breasted Nuthatch; White-bellied Nuthatch. 



DESCRIPTION. (Plate 46'.) 



Length about 6 ; extent about 11 inches ; bill blue-black, base of lower mandible 

 paler ; legs and iris brown. Adult male. Back and rump ashy-blue ; top of head 

 and back of neck glossy black ; tail (except two middle feathers, which are same 

 color as back), black spotted with white; lower parts and sides of head and neck 



