280 LAND BIRDS 



Breeding Season : March and April. 



Nest : Usually placed in a rift of rocks or on the ground under a project- 

 ing rock, sometimes in hollow stumps or about buildings ; composed 

 of sticks, bark strips, weeds, grasses, moss, etc. 



Eggs: 7 to 9 ; pure glossy white, finely speckled with a few reddish 

 brown spots, chiefly at the larger end. Size 0.72 X 0.54. 



After finding this Wren, the only land bird among 

 the thousands of sea fowl on the Farallone Islands, one 

 is inclined to believe that he is well named, since all he 

 asks for in a home are bare bleak rocks in which to 

 hide. 



In the deserted rocky canons, where even sparse vege- 

 tation refuses to grow, he may be seen busily hunting 

 insects in the crevices of the rocks, dodging in and out 

 among the boulders, picking up spiders and worms, and 

 uttering his crisp, loud note. If you startle him he will 

 fly a few feet to the top of a small rock and, facing you, 

 sway from side to side, scolding and bobbing in comical 

 excitement. It may be that his nest is close by in one 

 of the dark crannies, but, as a rule, only the master and 

 mistress of the household can pass through the narrow 

 doorway. About the entrance is a curious conglomera- 

 tion of treasures, evidently carried there by the bird. 

 Bits of glass, pebbles, shells, and anything else that 

 strikes his fancy, are carefully collected in his dooryard. 

 On the Farallones, mussel shells, small bones, and small 

 pieces of coal form the usual collection. The nest itself 

 is lined with feathers and hair or wool, or any available 

 soft substance. While you are searching for it, the gay 

 little Rock Wren is doing his best to lead you astray. 

 As Mr. Keyser so aptly says, ^' He will leap upon a rock 



