SP. CHAR. Exposed portion of the bill shorter than the head. Above reddish-brown, most vivid on the rump. A whitish streak over the eye, bordered above with dark brown. Throat whitish; rest of under parts pale yellow-rusty, darkest towards the under tail-coverts, which are conspicuously barred with black. Exposed surface of the wings and tail (including the upper coverts) barred throughout with brown, the outer edges of tail-feathers and quills showing series of alternating whitish and dusky spots. Legs flesh-colored. Length, 6 inches; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.45. HAB. Eastern Province of United States, from New York southward to the Gulf. [Illustration: _Thryothorus bewickii._] HABITS. The Great Carolina or Mocking Wren is found in all the Southeastern and Southern States from Florida to Maryland, and from the Atlantic to Kansas and the Valley of the Rio Grande. It is not common about Washington, but is much more abundant in the Southern States. Occasionally it has been found as far north as Philadelphia, and in one or two instances near New York, where Mr. Lawrence has twice seen it, and where on one occasion it appeared to be breeding. Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant throughout Texas and the Indian Territory. It is also abundant, and resident, in Southern Illinois, as far north as latitude 38° 20′ 20″. The habits and movements of this species, as described by those who have had the best opportunities for observing it, correspond with those of the whole family of Wrens. Its flight is usually only in short distances, and is accompanied with short flappings of the wings, and violent jerkings of the body and the tail. The latter is usually kept erect. It moves with quick jerks, and with sharp, rapid notes uttered as if in anger. It is in sight one moment and out the next, passes in at one place and out at another with the rapidity of thought. Mr. Audubon often saw it singing from the roof of an abandoned flat-boat, near New Orleans, and when its song was ended it would creep from one board to the next, enter an augur-hole at one place to reappear at another, catching numerous spiders and other insects all the while. [Illustration: PLATE IX. 1. Thryothorus ludovicianus, _Lath._ Pa., 1784. 2. “ berlandieri, _Couch_. Texas. 3. “ bewickii, _Aud._ ♂ Pa., 2047. 4. “ “ “ _var._ 5. Troglodyta ædon, _Vieill._ D. C. 6. Cistothorus palustris, _Wils._ Pa., 1454. 7. “ stellaris, _Licht._ Ga., 3073. 8. Troglodytes alascensis, _Baird_. Alaska, 54447. 9. “ hyemalis, _Vieill._ ♂ Va., 31045. 10. “ “ _var._ pacificus, _Baird_. W. T., 17434.] Occasionally its movements are like those of a Creeper, ascending to the upper branches of trees of a moderate height, or climbing a grapevine, searching diligently among the leaves and in the crevices of the bark for insects.