Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian AmericaCassin, John
Science
Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America
Cassin, John
Birds -- North America
Obs. A remarkable resemblance exists between the bird now before us and
two other species of Fly-catchers of another genus, _Fluvicola comata_
(Licht.), and _Fluvicola nigerrima_ (Vieill), both of which are natives
of South America, and we have seen the latter also from Mexico. The
three birds resemble each other in general form in a very considerable
degree, and in colors are almost absolutely the same, the prevalent
black of the plumage differing only in shade. Generic and specific
distinctions can, however, readily be made out on comparison of
specimens. _Fluvicola_ has the bill longer and not so wide at the base
and with much stronger bristles; the wings are differently constructed,
the first primary being long and well developed, not short or
rudimentary as in _Ptilogonys_. In those two species of _Fluvicola_,
which differ from each other materially only in size, the white spot is
more at the base of the wing feathers than in _Ptilogonys nitens_, in
which it occupies the middle third of the primaries. _Fluvicola comata_
is the same as _Blechropus cristatus_, Swainson, in Naturalist’s
Library, Flycatchers, p. 99, plate 7. No other species of _Ptilogonys_
is black.
[Illustration: Plate 30
The Mexican Wren
Troglodytes mexicanus (_Swainson_)]
TROGLODYTES MEXICANUS.—(Swainson.)
The White-throated Wren.
PLATE XXX.—Adult Male.
In the United States, the little House Wren is associated with so many
pleasing recollections, and possesses such pre-eminently social and
familiar habits, that one almost expects in all birds bearing the name
of wrens, to find similarity of disposition, and perhaps similar regard
from the people of other lands. But this is by no means the case. There
is really but one House Wren, and that is the little fellow who comes
punctually in the early spring, and evidently without a doubt of his
being welcome to take possession of the box or other habitation of the
previous season, perhaps of many seasons. And forthwith he commences
housekeeping, which usually, if no accidental discouragements intervene,
is very successful, as one may judge from the number of little heads
soon to be seen by peeping in at the door of his domicile.
The Wren is, in this country, nearly as much of a household bird as the
Robin, of Europe, and more than any other, not even excepting the
Martin, is universally regarded with favor. He is, however, the only one
of the numerous species of American Wrens that shows any disposition to
cultivate the acquaintance of mankind, or at all to accept of any
proffered hospitalities. Though the Carolina Wren and Bewick’s Wren both
venture occasionally into the garden or orchard, they are comparatively
shy and apprehensive, apparently, of there being danger in too great
familiarity.
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