THE ST. KILDA WREN 75 



which it is constantly running. I have seen it catch the 

 spiders in the crevices of the walls, and sometimes pursue an 

 insect as it flew by. 



Like the Common Wren, the St. Kilda Wren most prob- 

 ably pairs for life. Year after year it frequents a chosen 

 spot in which to build its home ; but a new nest is made 

 every season. It begins building by the end of April or 

 early in jNIay, and the nest is very similar to that of the 

 Common Wren. It is often made in a crevice of the rocks 

 or a hole in a wall, or in a heap of stones. One nest I found 

 within a few yards of high-water mark in a broken wall ; but 

 most frequently it is placed inside one of the rough hovels, 

 generally near the roof. The nest is domed and beautifully 

 made. It is composed almost entirely of moss, profusely 

 lined with feathers and a quantity of hair, some of which 

 latter material is pulled from the Puffin snares in the cliffs. 

 Eound the entrance, especially below it, a number of grass 

 stalks are deftly w^oven, probably to strengthen that part of 

 the structure which is subject to most w^ear and tear. The 

 eggs are six in number, pure white, profusely spotted, 

 especially round the large end, wdth brownish-red and a few 

 paler markings of grayish-brown. Some eggs are almost 

 spotless white ; in others the colouring matter is congre- 

 gated in a circular mass at the end. They are a little larger 

 than those of the Common Wren, but otherw^ise very closely 

 resemble them. Probably this bird rears two broods in the 

 season, and the young are deserted as soon as they can forage 

 for themselves. It is possible that the Wrens inhabiting 

 the Outer Hebrides may belong to this species, as I am not 

 aware that birds from this locality have been examined by 

 any competent naturalist. 



