48 THE CONDOR Vol. XXIII 
tus. The birds evidently have full confidence in the inaccessibility of theif 
nesting sites, as the nests are located in the most conspicuous positions and 
the birds do not hesitate to approach them while under observation. The nests, 
including those of the previous season, are used as sleeping quarters through- 
out the year. The birds retire early, and if one walks among the cactus after 
sunset the end of a tail may be seen in the entrance of each habitable nest. 
A feature typical of the adult Cactus Wrens in this locality is the large 
black throat patch, beginning abruptly below the whitish chin and breaking up 
on the chest into streaks and spots. The young do not acquire this marking for 
scme months after attaining full growth, the throat and chest being lightly 
and uniformly speckled with black. The young wrens are even more noisy 
Fig. 10. Cactus WKEN AND NEST IN PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS; SAN GABRIEL WASH, 
NEAR AZUSA, CALIFORNIA; Marcu, 1915. 
and curious in their disposition than the adults, climbing over any unusual ob- 
ject, such as a camera, and investigating it thoroughly. The Cactus Wren has 
three rather strident calls which it uses almost constantly except while on the 
ground; but in this particular locality it seldom if ever sings at any season of 
the year. The food, which includes ants, is mainly obtained by searching 
through dead vegetation on the ground, raising leaves and small stones with 
the beak and peering under. | 
While the area of brush-land suited to the habits of the Cactus Wrens is 
not likely to be reduced rapidly, they take kindly to civilization, frequenting 
the house roofs, and this year a pair even building a nest on a lookout under the 
gable of a ranch building. They show a marked fondness for sweet corn when 
the husk has been opened go as to expose the ear, but have not heen observed to 
molest any other vegetable or fruit. 
