CHAPTER IX. — WRENS 



Fam. TROGLODYTID^ 



THE composition of the Wren family at present generally 

 accepted by naturalists is such that its strict definition 

 scarcely becomes possible; for within its limits is embraced 

 much variety of form, and some of its accredited members are 

 with difficulty distinguished from those of certain other groups. 

 Without attempting to frame an exact diagnosis, I can never- 

 theless point out those features by which the Wrens of this 

 country at least may be recognized. The chief trouble lies in 

 the direction of the Mocking group of Thrushes; Wrens being 

 so very much like these birds that the arbitrary criterion of 

 size is the most obvious distinction. From the Miinincc, how- 

 ever, the Troglodytidce are distinguished by the greater extent 

 of the cohesion of the anterior toes at their bases : — " The inner 

 toe is united by half its basal joint to the middle toe, sometimes 

 by the whole of this joint; and the second joint of the outer 

 toe enters wholly or partially into this union, instead of the 

 basal only." — (Baird.) The possession of ten primaries se:i)arates 

 the Wrens from all of the large sylvicoline group of birds; and 

 the first primary, though short, is not spurious. The scutellate 

 tarsi distinguish them from those groups, discussed in lueced- 

 ing chapters, which have the tarsi booted. In comparison with 

 the Titmice and Nuthatches, we observe that in the Wrens the 

 bill is altogether different, being of a slender, lengthened, and 

 generally curved shape, showing exposed scaled nostrils. This 

 member lacks obvious rictal bristles, though the frontal 

 feathers may be bristle-tipped. The tail is variable, and with- 

 out any special attribute, unless the erected position so fre- 

 quently observed may be considered a characteristic. We thus 

 arrive at some understanding of the nature of this group ; and 

 for the practical purpose of discriminating the species with 

 which we have to deal, we may say they are 10-primaried 

 Oscines of small size, with scutellate tarsi, short, rounded wings, 

 not peculiar tail, slender, unnotched bill, with exposed scaled 

 nostrils and no rictal vibrissaj, and extensively coherent toes— a 



