SYLVIID/E ; PARID/E ; SITTID^ ; CE'RTHIID/E TROGLODYTID/E. IZ |_5 
FAMILY TROGLOD YTIDLE : WRENS. 
Naturally the Long-billed Marsh Wren ( Tclmatodytes palustris Baird) 
is- wanting in the Catskills; though sections inhabited by it are plainly 
visible from the mountain tops. 
The Short-billed Marsh Wren is of too uncertain distribution to be here 
considered. 
Troglodytes (loniesticus (Bartr.) Coues. House Wren. 
Not uncommon, though more retiring and less domesticated in 
habits than in more settled regions; its song, also, seeming often to 
be more subdued On different occasions it was met with in wild 
and uninhabited localities, and none were noticed domiciled about 
the farm buildings in the valley. These facts may be taken as in- 
dicative of the primitive habits of the species, before the advent of 
civilization, and sufficiently explain the supposed diverse habits from 
it of Audubon’s “Wood Wren.” 
Anortliura troglodytes hiemalis (Wils.) Coues. Winter Wren. 
This little minstrel of the mountain woods inhabits the wildest re- 
treats from the higher valleys to the highest mountain tops. Even 
the summit of .Slide Mountain had not proved too distant for its tiny 
wings, and on this remote height Dr. Fisher came upon one at work 
on its nest. The upturned roots ot a fallen tree had been selected 
as a building site, and within a cavity, extending behind a flat stone 
inlaid in the perpendicular face of the earthy mass, the nest was be- 
ing framed. The substructure alone had been laid, consisting mainly 
of moss with a few dried plant stems; and these materials had been 
disposed so as to reduce the natural entrance to a small circular open- 
ing. This was two feet above the bottom of the concavity remaining 
from the uptorn foundations of the tree, and was so inconspicuous 
that had not the diminutive architect been surprised at work its 
secret would never have been disclosed. 
This bird is a common inhabitant of the mountains throughout the 
Catskill group. Often it is found near the noisy brooks, often in the 
silent depths of the forest; but in whatever situation, mossy logs, 
rocks and dampness, with the negative requisite of absence of sun- 
light, seem to be all that is necessary to render its happiness com- 
plete. In such situations as may readily be imagined from these 
given characteristics, it makes its home; and, though so retiring in 
disposition and furtive in movements as rarely to allow a glimpse of 
itself, small and sombre-hued, its voice continually tells of its presence. 
There is an indescribable effect from the song of this bird peculiarly 
