rock wren

American  

noun

1. an American wren, Salpinctes obsoletus, inhabiting the foothills, badlands, and mesa country of the western U.S. and Mexico.

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Etymology

Origin of rock wren

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

There are rock wrens, nighthawks, mourning doves and lark buntings.

From Seattle Times

Davis's crew is quietly intent, and the air is filled with the gentle sound of trowels scraping earth, along with a rock wren's distinctive call.

From Nature

Even the nests of the red-headed woodpecker and the rock wrens are not exempt.

From Project Gutenberg

Here also dwelt the rock wren, a little bird that was new to me and that I had not found in the latitude of Colorado Springs either east or west of the continental divide.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the wrens, both the rock wren and the canyon wren are occasionally seen, the peculiar song of the latter bringing a thrill of cheer to those who are familiar with its falling chromatic scale.

From Project Gutenberg