335 
Figure 306 
Tail of Rock Wren; natural size. 
715. Rock Wren. Salpinctes obsoletus. L, 5*75. A large Wren. Above, evenly 
greyish-brown, greyer on head and approaching cinnamon on lower back and rump; dufl 
whitish below; faintly streaked with 
brownish on breast. 
Distinctions. Easily separated 
from any other Wren by its general 
even, pale greyish or dry-earthy 
coloration variegated above by 
barely perceptible black and white 
arrow-head spots and suggestions 
of vermiculation. The tailbroadly 
terminated with white or whitish, 
with sharply contrasting subter- 
minal suffusion of brownish-black 
(Figure 306), is very characteristic. 
Field Marks. A large } dry- 
earth coloured Wren inhabiting the 
most arid canyon faces and bad- 
lands. Its song, far carrying and 
clear, quite unlike the bubbling 
confusion of the House or other 
familiar Wrens, attracts attention 
immediately. It approaches to, and 
retreats before, the puzzled observer in the moBt baffling manner. Once a few of the 
infinite variety of their notes are learned, many unfamiliar, clear, or pearly notes will be 
attributed to this species. 
Nesting. In crannies in rocks and cliffs, nest of sticks, grasses, wool, hair, and other 
soft materials. A peculiarity is that each nest entrance is approached by a little path paved 
with pebbles. 
Distribution. Western North America. In Canada, the bad lands and rocky defiles 
of southern Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. 
SUBSPECIES. The form accredited to Canada is the type race, Salpinctes obsoletus 
obsoletus. 
The Rock Wren is the very spirit of the mysterious bad lands. Where 
canyon walls or coulee sides are broken, steep, and bare, where the mercury 
stands near the top of the tube, and not a drop of water can be found, the 
Rock Wren is at home. Stealing in and out of crevices, exploring cracks 
in the hot cliffs to their deepest extremity; the busy little midget never 
rests. Its voice can be heard here, there, and everywhere and when we 
attempt to steal closer it is gone to mock us from the next neighbouring 
buttress. 
717. Canyon Wren. Catherpes mexicanus. L, 6. A rather large Wren with 
very long, slender bill (Figure 307). Above, bright reddish-brown changing to cinnamon 
on tail and greying on crown, finely speckled 
with minute black and white spots except on 
tail which is sharply barred with dark brown. 
Brown extending below over abdomen, 
brown speckled or finely vermiculated with 
black; throat and breast white. 
Distinctions. The long, slender bill, 
warm speckled ruddy brown back, and white 
throat are diagnostic characters. 
Field Marks . By habitat likely to be 
confused only with the Rock Wren, but of 
warm ruddy brown colour with conspicuous 
white throat instead of general dull dry-earthy 
hue. Its song, consisting chiefly of a regularly descending scale of clear individual 
whistled notes, is very distinctive. 
Nesting. Like the Rock Wren in crevices of rocks and cliffs. 
Distribution. Arid parts of United States and Mexico. In Canada known only 
in the southern Okanagan valley of British Columbia. 
Figure 307 
Bill of Canyon Wren; natural size. 
