THE GREAT CAROLINA WREN. 



109 



immediate possession of the premises, it which his 

 female also laid her eggs, and reared her young. 

 Even the Bluebird, who claims an equal and sort of 

 hereditary right to the box in the garden, when at- 

 tacked by this little impertinent, soon relinquishes 

 the contest, the mild placidness of his disposition not 

 being a match for the fiery impetuosity of his little 

 antagonist. With those of his own species who settle 

 and build near him, he has frequent squabbles ; and 

 when their respective females are sitting, each strains 

 his whole powers of song to excel the other." 



The Great Carolina 

 "Wren and the Win- 

 ter Wren are also, 

 both of them, lovely 

 and interesting birds. 

 The former frequents 

 the banks of streams, 

 shaded by thickly \, 

 overhanging foliage, 

 where it may be dis- 

 tinguished by its 

 clear, musical note, 

 resembling the words 

 Sweet William, Sweet 

 William, uttered in 

 rapid succession, with 

 an occasional inter- 

 lude of " Chirr-up, Chirr-up." It may also be found 

 frequenting damp rocky caves, and among old piles 

 of rotten timber, where it picks up the larvae of many 

 10 



Great Carolina Wren. 



