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Wilson, Alexander, 1766-1813. / American ornithology; or The natural history of the birds of the United States
(1828)

Species 3. Certhia caroliniana. Great Carolina wren,   pp. [70]-72


Page [70]


SPECIES 3. CERTTHI Cd9RQLfN1VI1W3.-*
               GREAT CAROLINA WREN.
                    [Plate XII. -Fig. 5.]
 Le Roitelet de la Louisiana, P1. Eni. 730, fig. 1.-LATH. Syn. VII,
   p. 507, var. B.-Le Troglodytes de la Louisiana, BUFF- Ois. v,
   p. 361.-..Miotacilla Caroliniana (regulus magnus,) BARTRAM,
   p. 291.-PEALE'S Museum, .No. 7248.t
   THIs is another of those equivocal species that so often occur
 to puzzle the naturalist. The general appearance of this bird is
 such, that the most illiterate would at first sight call it a Wren;
 but the common Wren of Europe, and the Winter Wren of the
 United States, are both warblers, judging them according to the
 simple principle of Linnams. The present species, however, and
 the following (the Marsh Wren,) though possessing great family
 likeness to those above mentioned, are decisively Creepers, if
 the bill, the tongue, nostrils and claws are to be the criteria by
 which we are to class them.
 The colour of the plumage of birds is but an uncertain and
 inconstant guide; and though in some cases it serves to furnish
 a trivial or specific appellation, yet can never lead us to the
 generic one. I have, therefore, notwithstanding the general
 appearance of these birds, and the practice of former ornitholo-
 gists, removed them to the genus Certhia, from that of Mota-
 cilla, where they have hitherto been placed.
 This bird is frequently seen, early in May, along the shores
 of the Delaware, and other streams that fall into it on both sides,
 * This and the two following species were placed by Latham in the genus
 Sylvia, whence they have been removed by Wilson, without apparently, suf-
 ficient reason.
 t We add the following synonymes:-.Motacilta troglotydes, var > GMxL.
ot0
{Ip. 994.-Sylvia ludoviciana, LATH. Index Orn. sp. 150.


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