142 WINTER WREN. 



WINTER WEEK {Sylvia troglodytes) 



PLATE VIII. -Fig. 6. 



Motacilla troglodytes ? Linn. — PeaWs Museum, No. 7284. 



TROGLODYTES HYEMALIS?—YimsLm. 



Troglodytes Europeus Leach, Bonap. Synop. p. 93. — Troglodytes hyemalis, 

 Vieill. Encyc. Meth. ii. p. 470.— North. Zool. ii. p. 318. 



This little stranger visits us from the north in the month of 

 October, sometimes remaining with us all the winter, and is 

 always observed, early in spring, on his route back to his 

 breeding place. In size, colour, song, and manners, he 



New Holland, and the islands in the South Pacific ocean excepted. In 

 the latter countries, they seem represented by the genus Pardalotus, yet, 

 however, very limited in numbers. They are more numerous in tem- 

 perate, and even northern climates, than near the tropics ; the greater 

 numbers, both as to individuals and species, extend over Europe. In 

 this country, when the want of foliage allows us to examine their 

 manners, they form one of the most interesting of our winter visitants. 

 I call them visitants only ; for during summer they are occupied with 

 the duties of incubation in retirement, amid the depths of the most 

 solitary forests ; and only at the commencement of winter, or during 

 its rigours, become more domesticated, and flock in small parties, the 

 amount of their broods, to our gardens and the vicinity of our houses ; 

 several species together, and generally in company with the gold-crested 

 wrens. The activity of their motions in search of food, or in dispute 

 with one another ; the variety of their cries, from something very 

 shrill and timid to loud and wild ; their sometimes elegant, sometimes 

 grotesque attitudes, contrasted by the difference of form ; and the 

 varied flights, from the short dart and jerk of the marsh and cole tit- 

 mouse, or gold-crested wren, to the stringy successive line of the long- 

 tailed one, — are objects which have, no doubt, called forth the notice 

 of the ornithologist who has sometimes allowed himself to examine 

 them in their natural abodes. The form of the different species is 

 nearly alike, thick-set, stout, and short, the legs comparatively strong, 

 the whole formed for active motion, and uniting strength for the re- 

 moval of loose bark, moss, or even rotten wood, in search of their 

 favourite food, insects ; it, however, varies in two species of this 

 country (one of which will form a separate subdivision), the long- 

 tailed and the bearded titmice {P. caudatus and biarmicus), in the 

 •weaker frame and more lengthened shape of the tail ; and it may be 



