88 The Irish Naturalist. July-Aug., 



was close to the male's favourite singing perch. She was 

 carrying feathers to it after two eggs had been laid. Perhaps 

 she began la^dng before lining. 



From several experiences I find the Wren, like many 

 other birds, sits on the eggs at night during laying, even 

 beginning the practice of sitting before any are laid. (See 

 note by S. H. Owen in British Birds, June, 1919, p. 23, 

 naming some of the species which do this, and a note in 

 July issue, p. 64, suggesting that the staler the egg the more 

 incubation is needed). If that is the Wren's object, she 

 seems to make a bad shot at it, as in four out of five of the 

 first broods I found an egg left behind in the nest. 



I think this is a common experience with the Wren, 

 and compares with the case of male White hroats' nests 

 (see /. Nat.. Nov., 1918). and I suggest the infertile egg is 

 due to the female having a ready-made nest immediately 

 on meeting the male. The four C nests were similar in 

 having the exterior all dead leaves. 



As regards the closing of the nests, I think I have in 

 the past noticed old Wrens' nests with the entrance hidden. 

 The closing of the old breeding nest does not seem to have 

 much sense in it, only a moss-carrying craving, or it may 

 compare with the practice of pulling a growing leaf over 

 the entrance of a brood nest— as a concealment. 



Notable points about the Wren therefore seem to 

 be : — 



1. The males making most or all (?) the nests, and 



each male making a series. I am not sure 

 that he does not carry on several at the same 

 time. 



2. The delay in females appearing — needing 



explanation. 



3. The male keeping in touch with all the nests 



and lodging in them both before and after a 

 mate appears. 



4. The covering of the eggs at night. 



5. The unhatched egg. 



6. The male's apparent disregard of the family till 



out of the nest. 



7. The young roosting in the nests. 



8. The closing of some nests. 



