Genus Troglodytes. Vieill, Nouv. Dict., XXXIV. p. 505. (1819.)
Troglodytes mexicanus. (Swainson.)
Thryothorus mexicanus. Swainson, Zool. Ill., 2d series, I. p. (none),
pl. 11.
Form. Bill, long, slender and curved; wings, short, rounded, with the
fourth and fifth quills longest; tail, rather long; legs and feet,
moderately strong; claws, large.
Dimensions. Total length (of skin) about 5½ inches; wing, 2½; tail, 2
inches.
Colors. Throat and neck before, silky-white. Entire upper parts,
reddish-brown, with minute circular or irregularly shaped spots of pure
white, which are inserted in others of very dark-brown, nearly black;
quills, dark-brown, spotted on their outer webs with ferruginous; tail,
bright ferruginous, with about eight regular transverse bands of black.
Entire under parts (except the throat and neck before, as above), bright
ferruginous, rather darker than that of the tail, nearly every feather
having a small irregularly shaped spot of white, joined to another of
black; bill, light at the base, darker towards the tip. Sexes very
nearly alike.
Hab. California, New Mexico, Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and
Nat. Mus., Washington city.
Obs. This very handsome Wren is not properly to be regarded as a true
_Troglodytes_, but belongs to a small group or sub-genus, to which M.
Cabanis has given the name _Salpinctes_. It does not particularly
resemble any other species.
SYNOPSIS
OF
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.