THE ST. KILDA WREN 107 



active little bird, by no means shy ; and I used to 

 watch a pair that were feeding their young in a 

 nest not six yards from our door. Its breeding 

 season must commence early in May, for the young 

 were three parts grown by the beginning of June. 

 It makes its nest either in one of the numerous 

 ' cleats,' or in a crevice of a wall, or under an 

 overhanging bank. The nest is exactly similar to 

 that of the Common Wren, and abundantly lined 

 with feathers. The eggs are six in number, 

 perceptibly larger and more heavily marked than 

 those of the Common Wren, but otherwise closely 

 resembHng them. I found the birds remarkably 

 tame at the nest, going in and out as I stood 

 watching them. Probably two broods are reared 

 in the season." 



The St. Kilda Wren somewhat closely resembles 

 the Common Wren in appearance, but is larger, 

 more distinctly barred on the upper parts, and has 

 much stouter feet. The variations of plumage due 

 to age, sex, and season are not known to differ in 

 any important respect from those of the allied 

 forms. 



