BJ^ITISn BIRDS' XESTS. 363 



of several nests, but whenever one is found with 

 an inner lining of feathers it is sure to be laid in. 



Eggs. — Four to eight, generally from five to 

 seven, although as many as twelve and fourteen, 

 and even twenty, have upon rare occasions been 

 found. White, sparingly spotted with brownish- 

 red of varying shades, generally distributed at the 

 larger end. Specimens are sometimes found quite 

 unspotted. When I discovered the ivy-surrounded 

 nest (figuring in the circular illustration) it con- 

 tained three unspotted eggs, and I remarked to 

 my brother that the layer was in a poor state 

 of health. We photographed it on the Saturday 

 afternoon, and as I was anxious to secure one of 

 the eggs, I visited the nest at six o'clock on the 

 following Monday morning, and found the hen 

 inside. I went away for an hour, and when I re- 

 turned she was still on her eggs, and I discovered 

 that she was quite dead and in a very emaciated 

 condition. On dissection there was no sign of 

 further eggs in her body. Size about "7 by -51 in. 



Time. — April, May, June, and July. 



Bemarlxs. — Resident. Notes : alarm, a jarring 

 kind of note ; song, loud, joyous, and heard all 

 the year round. Local and other names : Cutty 

 W^ren, Titty Wren, Jenny Wren (a name also applied 

 to the Chifi'chaff and AVillow Wren), Tom Tit (in 

 the North of England), Kitty Wren. A close sitter. 



WREN, ST. KILDA. 



To Mr. Dixon, who gave it the distinguishing 

 name here used, belongs the honour of first dis- 

 covering the differences between this bird and the 

 Common Wren. According to his observations — 



