Hab. Eastern Province of the United States, from Atlantic to the Missouri River.
In the Review of American Birds (p. 139), I have established a variety, aztecus, to embrace specimens from Mexico paler than ædon, and with a brownish tinge on the breast, and smaller size.
There can scarcely be any doubt that the T. americanus of Audubon is nothing more than this species in dark, accidentally soiled plumage (from charcoal of burnt trees, etc.).
Troglodytes ædon.
28941
Habits. The common House Wren is found throughout the United States, from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, though it is not everywhere equally abundant. Thus, while in some parts of Massachusetts it occurs in considerable numbers every year, in other portions not twenty miles distant it is never seen. West of the Rocky Mountains it is replaced by Parkman’s Wren, which is rather a race than a distinct
species, the differences in plumage being very slight, and in habits, nest, and eggs not appreciable, though Dr. Cooper thinks there is a difference in their song. Another race or a closely allied species, T. aztecus, is found in Mexico, near the borders of the United States, but does not have an extended range. It is found in the winter in Guatemala.
Troglodytes ædon.
This species does not appear to be found beyond the southwestern portion of Maine and the southern portions of New Hampshire and Vermont. It makes its first appearance in Washington early in April, and for a while is very abundant, visiting very familiarly the public grounds of the capitol, private gardens, out-buildings, and the eaves of dwellings. It does not appear in the New England States until after the first week in May, and leaves for the South about the last of September. It is not observed in any portion of the United States after the first of November.