26 
RE GURUS SATRAP A. 
HABITS. 
While visiting the region about Lake Umbagog, in Maine, during the first week in June, 
1871, in company with Messrs. Deane & Brewster, I was very much surprised to find this 
little species very common. It inhabits the thick woods, and although the birds were 
generally invisible, we could hear their peculiar song which consists of a series of low, sharp 
chirps terminated by a lisping warble. They were probably singing for the benefit of their 
mates which evidently had nests near. Indeed, we shot two or three females that bore 
unmistakable marks of incubating and saw others which exhibited considerable solicitude 
whenever we approached certain trees, hopping distractedly about, sounding their querulous 
alarm notes; in fact, betraying by every movement that their eggs were near. They who have 
visited those dark evergreen woods, will understand the extreme difficulty of finding nests that 
are built in thick hemlock or spruce trees; for the limbs are so densely covered with foliage 
that it is almost impossible to discern any object among them. Add to this the long hanging 
moss, which clings to the branches in great abundance, growing even on the ends of the twigs, 
and we have a mass of vegetation which the little Golden-crowned Wren chooses for a breeding 
place. The weather at the time of our visit Avas insufferably hot, and although the air in the 
Avoods Avas close, being nearly suffocating, Ave Avere obliged to force our way over the heaps 
of fallen trees and through the swamps, which abound in the Avilderness of Northern Maine. 
Besides all this Ave Avere so tormented Avith the myriads of black flies and mosquitoes, that 
it was almost impossible to remain quiet a moment. It Avas under these circumstances that Ave 
came upon the localities av here the Kinglets were breeding; but in defiance of all obstacles we 
searched long and faithfully for the nests as Ave AA r ere naturally anxious to obtain a specimen, 
knoAving that it had never been discovered. We even ascended several trees that we Avere 
confident contained it; but our most careful scrutinies proved fruitless, and the nest still 
remains unknown. It is highly probable that the sagacious birds had artfully concealed the 
diminutive structures in the streamers of moss, after the manner of the Blue YelloAV-backed 
Warbler. We had the satisfaction of knowing, however, if it can be called satisfaction, that 
we had probably been nearer the unfound treasures than other ornithologists. In summer, the 
birds .remain in pairs, or in small parties after the young are fledged; but in autumn they 
gather in flocks, associating with the Warblers and other small species. About the middle 
of October they begin to migrate southward, and arrive in Massachusetts during the latter 
part of the above named month. Many pass on further south, but some remain all winter. 
These may be found everywhere upon their arrival, but as it becomes colder, they retire to the 
Avoods and cedar groves, Avhere they spend the extreme cold weather; apparently as contented 
when the thermometer stands at zero as in summer. One can scarcely couceive how such little 
morsels of flesh and blood can avoid freezing to death during some of the intensely cold nights 
of midwinter, Avhen many of the larger species perish; or how they manage to maintain 
themselves through protracted snow storms. A large number must die, and the only wonder 
is that any attempt to Avithstaud a climate so rigorous. In mild days they emerge from their 
Avooded fastnesses and visit the orchards or farm-yards. They are always lively little birds 
and as they hop nimbly from twig to twig, in search of the eggs and larva; of insects, which 
form their only food at this season, amuse themselves by frequently uttering a short lisping 
song. Although they winter in large numbers in most of the Southern States, I have met Avith 
them but once in Florida. This was in December, 1868, when I took two specimens in a 
hummock; they were accompanying a large flock of Warblers, Titmice, etc. About the 
middle of April they migrate nortliAvard, and by the 10th of May they have all passed 
Massachusetts. 
