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SUBSPECIES. The form to be expected in Canada is the Spotted Canyon Wren, 
Catkerpes mexicanvs jmnctulatus. 
The Canyon Wren is an unsurpassed rock-creeper. So high up the 
rocky canyon walls as hardly to be recognizable as a bird it creeps and runs 
across the rocky surfaces, indifferent as to whether they are horizontal, 
perpendicular, or overhanging. Occasionally it disappears into some 
cranny and remains in secret seclusion. At intervals it emerges and perch- 
ing on the tip of some outstanding spur, only its white throat showing over 
the edge, it drops its clear staccato notes in rapid but unhurried succession. 
They bound and rebound from the rocky masses, echoing and re-echoing, 
and momentarily fill the valley with their liquid tones. 
719. Bewick’s Wren (Including Seattle Wren). Thryomanes bewichi. L, 5-60. 
Plate LXXVI B. A little larger than a House Wren. Even, warm chocolate brown above, 
throat and breast white, clearest on throat; shaded with greyish and brownish on flanks. 
Distinctions. With size, brown coloration, and habit likely to be confused only with 
the House Wren. The back is warm dark brown instead of ashy-brown and is without 
barring or vermiculation except on tail and wing quills. The white is clear on throat 
instead of being tinged with brownish. No barring on flanks. 
Field, Marks. A medium-sized dark-brown Wren without barring or vermiculation 
on body. A very distinct white eyebrow streak. Haunts the vicinity of buildings and 
tangled thickets much like the House Wren. 
Nesting. In holes or crannies in stumps, buildings, or bird-boxes. Like the House 
Wren it sometimes occupies the most absurd nesting quarters. Nest of dried grasses and 
leaves, rarely of twigs; lined with wool, hair, or feathers. 
Distribution . United States and Mexico. In Canada, occasional in extreme southern 
Ontario, and common in southern British Columbia west of the Coast range. 
SUBSPECIES. The form attributed to British Columbia is the Seattle Wren 
Thryomanes bewichi calophonus. 
One of the notable songsters of our southwestern coast. It has the 
intimate, confiding attitude of the House Wren when in contact with 
civilization, but has a finer, more liquid voice. Altogether a very delight- 
ful bird to have around and as far as present reports go it does not seem 
to develop the occasional reprehensible intolerance towards other species 
nesting in the vicinity. 
721. House Wren (Including Western House Wren). Troglodytes aedon. L, 5. 
Plate LXXVII A. A slightly ashy-brown Wren, finely but softly vermiculated with dark 
brown on back and barred across tail and wings. Below creamy white, slightly browning 
across the breast and flanks and softly barred on the latter. 
Distinctions. An ashy-brown Wren creamy below, but without any strongly char- 
acterized markings. By habitat most likely to be confused with Bewick’s Wren of the 
southern British Columbia coast. It is a greyer brown with fine vermiculations on back 
and the whiteness of the underparts is strongest on the abdomen instead of the throat. 
No eyebrow stripe as in Bewick’s or the Long-billed Marsh Wrens. No back striping as 
in the Short-billed and not strongly coloured below as is the Winter Wren. 
Field Marks. An ashy brown Wren slightly vermiculated on back and flanks and 
creamy white below, clearest on abdomen. No facial marks or striping anywhere. 
Nesting. In a hole in a tree, bird-box, or similar places, in a nest of twigs, lined 
with grasses, feathers, etc. The House Wren will occupy any kind of bird- house that 
is suitably placed. The English Sparrow can be kept away by making the entrance hole 
small; a one-inch auger hole is sufficient for a Wren and will bar the Sparrows entirely. 
Distribution. United States and southern Canada. In Canada, across the Dominion 
as far north as the heavy spruce forest region. 
SUBSPECIES. The Eastern House Wren Troglodytes aedon aedon extends westward 
to or near the Manitoba line. The Western House Wren Troglodytes aedon parkmani, 
slightly paler and greyer, with the back a little more distinctly barred, occupies the country 
farther west. The distinctions are fine, however, and the division between the ranges is 
not well marked. 
