Range. - Southwestern United States from Texas to eastern California; north to southern Nevada and Utah.

This species is the largest of the Wrens, be ing 8.5 inches in length. They are very com mon in cactus and chaparrel districts, where they nest at low elevations in bushes or cacti, making large purse-shaped structures of grasses and thorny twigs, lined with feathers and with a small entrance at one end. They raise two or three broods a year, the first set of eggs being laid early in April; the eggs are creamy white, dotted, so thickly as to obscure the ground color, with pale reddish brown. Size .95 x .65. Data. - Placentia, Cal. Nest in cactus about 6 feet from the ground; made of grasses and lined with feathers and rab bit fur; nest 8 inches in diameter, 18 inches long. 423

Pale greenish blue.

Pale greenish blue.

Cactus Wren.

Creamy white April 15, 1901.

713a. Bryant's Cactus Wren. Heleodytes Brunneicapillus Bryanti

Range. - Northern Lower California and coast of southern California.

The nesting habits of this variety differ in no respect from those of the last.

713b. San Lucas Cactus Wren. Heleodytes Brunneicapillus Affinis

Range. - Southern Lower California. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the last.