The House-Wren {Troglodytes aedon Vieill) 

 By Lynds Jones 



Description. — Adult: Above, grayish rufous-brown, duller and lighter on 

 fore parts ; brighter and more rufous on rump, which has concealed downy white 

 spots ; back indistinctly barred with dusky ; wings on exposed webs and tail all 

 over distinctly and finely dusky-barred; sides of head speckled grayish brown, 

 without definite pattern; below, light grayish brown, indistinctly speckled or 

 banded with darker brownish on fore parts ; heavily speckled and banded with 

 dusky and whitish on flanks and crissum; bill black above, lighter below, cul- 

 men slightly curved; feet brownish. Length 4.50-5.25 (114.3-133.3) ; wing 2.08 

 (52.8) ; tail 1.67 (42.4) ; bill .47 (11.9). 



Recognition Marks. — Warbler size ; brown above, lighter below ; everywhere 

 more or less speckled and banded with dusky, brownish, or white. 



Nest, of sticks and trash, lined with fine grasses or chicken-feathers, placed 

 in bird-boxes, holes in orchard trees, crannies of out-buildings, etc. Eggs, 4-8, 

 white, heavily speckled, and usually more or less tinged with pinkish brown or 

 vinaceous, with a wreath of a heavier shade about the larger end. Average size, 

 .64x.51 (16.3 X 13.). 



General Range. — Eastern United States and southern Ontario, west to In- 

 diana and Louisiana. Resident from the middle districts southward. 



Many years ago this cunning little bird gave up its woodland retreats and 

 adopted the white man. The unconscious lure which led to this result was doubt- 

 less the abundance of toothsome worms, which had already adopted man's apples 

 and currants and cabbages. Since that time the discerning have always put out 

 boxes and gourds or cans to encourage the residence of this sprightly and valu- 

 able friend. The mutual benefit association thus formed worked admirably, 

 until the advent of the English Sparrow, but since that evil day the Wren has 

 fought a losing battle. If one could beHeve in the survival of the "sassiest" the 

 odds would still be in his favor, but the Wren alas ! has not learned the value of 

 co-operation, and his tiny beak, however valiant, is no match for the concerted 

 action of the aliens. The American Wren must go. 



For some reason, too, the near presence of its cousins, the Carolina and 

 Bewick Wrens, does not seem to be congenial to this bird, and it has retired 

 before the latter species, apparently without dispute, from the southern third 

 of the state; and one finds it commonly only where neither of the others is to 

 be found. 



Arriving about the middle of April, the House Wren — or Jenny Wren, as 

 it is fondly called — proceeds immediately to renovate last year's quarters, and 

 to season the task with frequent bursts of song. In singing his joyous trill the 

 bird reminds one of a piece of fireworks called a cascade, for he fills the air with 

 a brilliant bouquet of song, and is himself, one would think, nearly consumed by 



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