Thryothorus ludovicianus, var. ludovicianus, Bonap.
GREAT CAROLINA WREN.
Sylvia ludoviciana, Lath. Ind. Orn. II, 1790, 548. Troglodytes ludovicianus, Licht. Verz. 1823, 35; also of Bonaparte, Audubon, and Prince Max. Thryothorus ludovicianus, Bon. List. 1838, etc.—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 361; Rev. 123. Troglodytes arundinaceus, Vieill. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 55, pl. cviii. (Certainly this species; the habits those of C. palustris.) Certhia caroliniana, Wilson, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 61, pl. xii, fig. 5. Thryothorus littoralis, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. XXXIV. 1819, 56. Thryothorus louisianæ, Lesson, Rev. Zoöl. 1840, 262.
Additional figures: Aud. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. lxxvii.—Ib. Birds Am. II, 1841, pl. cxvii.
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.
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