The herald., 1895-01-13

wren in form and habits, 10 not nearly
so common as most of the other wrens.
As far as l know it is only winter
visitor. This bird may be seen is most
dry rocky localities, such az arroyos
with steep banks; also often in stone
piles, along railroad embankments and
cuts and even in brick kilns. The
rock wren is fond of any situation
where he can explore dark holes and
inches Indeed, have seen rock
wren 60 down = burr0w belonging to
a ground squirrel, and after
being some five minutes re-
appear at anotne entrance 6O
feet away This wren probably finds
numerous criekets. Larvae aud spiders
in these dark places in which no other
bird would hunt. The song Of the rock
wren 10 a peculiar though pleasing
squeaky twitter.
Last but not least-in interest comes
the caflon wren. This bird may be
looked for in the mountain canons.
Those with precipitous stone walls and
broken rocky beds containing rushing
brook, are the fsvorlte resorts. The
caiion wren is never eeen outside OF the
mountains and is not very abundant
bird there. 1t ia resident all the year.
tuh IL uAulStut Dou, 6N6u IoAnihn ia WV
same portion of the csfion for long
time. 1t is very active, searchs
ing through crannies in the caiion sides
and among the fallen boalders constant
ly. 1t mas a habit at times of se Letting
some convenient rock projecting above
the water, and from thence making short
sallies into the surrounding atmosphere.
swapping up any passing insects. In
shis habit it resembles a hy-catchsr.
and know Of no other wren which acts
the sRme.
The cafion wren has a remarkable way
of bobbing his body or making quick,
ierky bow at every change OF position,
this latter being very often. 1t never
perches on trees or bushss. | have
watched many times. and invariably the
wren selects a fiat surface TO walk on,
evidently not being bic to grasp small
twig with his feet.
The car IN wren builds it's nest in
April, May or June, and chooses some
niche ia the cail IN wall as site. L
found enc nest on beam supporting
the roof IN tunnel. Tho foundation OF
the noat is composed OF long coarse sticke,
GA top OF which q compact cup-shaped
nest-propsr il constructed. THIS is made
OF ieltsd mass Of down, hbres. ieath-
ers, moses, iichens, etc, making sui.
4 icenily warm home between the cold
stones. Tne nests are sometimes art
fuliy 3HCealsd. Oaa | have in mind,
tito bird Il d woven iefns into, 81 that
tbs ir0Hd4 nung out If tle Granny In
which tie neat was built. The neat
was thereby completely hidden, and
me whole wall had the same appear
anca. ihe eggs OF the csilon wren are
IiHetaut from most wtena' ags. They
Are pure White with only few scat
tsfiDE i;4ht brown marks on them.
remspDsr last TINS was taking an
sariy n5rnihs 9alk along one the the
traits DAck OF tue hotel on Egho mount.
an. I had reached q turn III the
t,eA where the latter ekirted
apl- OF the m9aatain which rose al
n l9e perocnd.cu above Castle
c II Nad stopped TO take breath
TOR moment and to admire the view.
whan i heard the song Of the
t. II Il ~fen. Tas sun nad not yet riaen,
aas ms air wao cold and Transparent
~ annna Then, "a never heard
il ostlrs. the beautiful whistlug
melody rose loud and clear
on inc deem gorge heneAth. 1t must
he heatd ~ ita rom antlo surroundings
10 tvs so Jreeated.
Ia,s wIen, Ia lts wander.ngs among
sns rocks cou-tluti9 uttefa short,
harsh uusa mreH unlike that OF any
o- har.bfd lhe - ~ Is something mag.
AFT on. II IL c3M0osed OF series OF
ceer, uada.nt.nE llu sliks notes. begin.
ui1a op.a b IA KEY and descending reg
nlar,y d aa ybrupt low ao.e. similar to
;.ts lmm0J Gal. note.