and habits, moving restlessly through foliage while seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly a soft bluish gray in color and have the long sharp bill typical of an insectivore. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in Maryland. Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea Wrens Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Seven species have been recorded in Maryland. Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus (R) House wren, Troglodytes aedon Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (R) Mockingbirds and thrashers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Mimidae The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species' appearance tends towards dull grays and browns in plumage. Four species have been recorded in Maryland. Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (R) Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos Starlings Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae Starlings are small- to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. The plumage of several species is dark with a metallic sheen. One species has been recorded in Maryland. European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I) Thrushes and allies Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that inhabit mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small- to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Eleven species have been recorded in Maryland. Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides (R) Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi (R) Veery, Catharus fuscescens Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli (R*) Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina American robin, Turdus migratorius Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius (R) Old World flycatchers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae The Old World flycatchers form a large family of small passerine birds. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the