^irds of Dead Biver Region, Me. F. H. 



14. Anm-tlmra troglodytes hyeraalis, (Winter 

 Wren). The only individual of this species ob- 

 served in the county was a female wliich I flushed 

 from her nest placed between the interstices of 

 the logs in the dam on Tim brook Juiie 3d. The 

 nest was placed in the rank growth of moss which 

 was affixed to tlie logs and contained five eggs 

 quite fresh. Although these birds were spoken 

 of by the lumbermen as common, I could not 

 catch a glimpse of another-during my stay, their 

 quick movements in the thick coverts effectually 

 screening them from view. 



O. & O. XLAng. 1886. p. I15 



BREEDING OF THE WINTER WREN AT HOULTON, ME. 



BY EDTHVEN DEANE. 



The finding of the nests of many of our ground-building species 

 is considered by many as a matter of luck ; but a thorough ac- 

 quaintance with the woods and fields in which one is collecting, and 

 a habit of perseverance, often leads to success, and these accom- 

 plishments must indeed be attributed to any one who has had the 

 good fortune to discover three nests of the Winter Wren in one 

 season. 



About the middle of June, 1878, while collecting at Houlton, Me., 

 Mr. James Bradbury, a resident of the town, showed me a nest of 

 this species partly finished in a little clearing of thick woods on the 

 banks of the Meduxnekeag River. He had previously noticed the 

 bird in the same locality with small twigs in its bill, and after 

 secreting himself at a short distance saw the Wren disappear under 

 the roots of a fallen tree, where it remained for a time, and upon 

 investigation he found the entrance of the nest. It was imbedded 

 in the earth which remained attached to the roots, and it could only 

 be detected by crawling under the thick brush which surrounded 

 the tree ; and on looking up, all that could be seen was a small aper- 

 ture just large enough to admit the tiny birds. The nest was un- 

 fortunately deserted, for on the 22d of June we again visited it and 

 it showed no further signs of completion. It was apparently almost 

 finished, but lacked the fine lining of moss and feathers. The ex- 

 ternal breadth and depth of the nest was 4.60 inches, the internal 

 depth 2.50 inches. It was composed of hemlock twigs, moss, and a 

 few bits of lichens compactly woven together. 



Early in J une Mr. Bradbury found a nest containing six young a 

 few days old. This nqst was sunk into the thick moss which envel- 

 oped the trunk of a fallen tree. A bunch of ferns grew out of the 

 moss near the entrance of the nest, and one of the parent birds sud- 

 denly flying from the ferns enabled him to discover its little home. 



On the 8th of August, 1878, Mr. Bradbury took a third nest of 

 the Winter Wren, which contained four eggs ; and I am indebted to 

 my friend, Mr. R. R. McLeod, who visited the locality before it was 

 removed, for the following description : " The nest was in a place 

 which does justice to' the name Troglodytes, for it was away under 

 an upturned cedar-root in the dark. The tree had blown over 

 somewhat, and in the roof made by the earth and roots she had ex- 

 cavated a hole and made her nest, where but the least glimpse of 

 light could have reached it. A little spring flowed over the rocks 

 beneath, on which the tree stood, and only by watching the bird 

 with a feather in her mouth was the nest discovered. Mr. Brad- 

 bury put his head and shoulders under the roots and the Wren 

 fluttered past his face, and diligent search revealed tlie treasure." 



The nest, which is in the possession of Mr. H. A. Purdie, is now be- 

 fore me, and presents a beautiful bit of bird architecture. It differs 

 from the one already described by having the top open, similar 

 to that oi Saijornis fuscus, though possibly the bird had some natu- 

 ral crevice through which to pass before reaching the nest. It is 

 composed mainly of very compact green moss, with a few hemlock 

 twigs interwoven, and is lined profusely with feathers of the Canada 

 Jay, Blue Jay, and other species, which arch over the eggs so as to al- 

 most conceal them. The average measurement of these eggs is .65 

 by .49 of an inch. The ground-color is pure white, and marked 

 with fine spots of reddish-brown and a few blotches of a darker 

 shade. In one specimen the markings are very small and faint, and 

 free from any blotches. This was undoubtedly a second brood, and 

 one egg was far advanced in incubation. 



BU11.N.O.C. //.Jan ,1370,p.37-J^. 



