CACTUS WREN. 



713. Heleodytes hrunneicapillus. 8^ inches. 



Cactus groves are the favorite resorts of these large 

 Wrens. Often a bed of cactus not more than thirty 

 feet square will contain the homes of half a dozen pairs 

 of them. Like all the members of the family, they are 

 very sprightly and have violent tempers, scolding anyone 

 or anything that incurs their displeasure. 



Nest. — Their nests are placed in cactus or other 

 thorny shrubs; they are very large, purse-shaped affairs 

 with an entrance on the side; they are made of little 

 thorny twigs and grasses woven together, and the in- 

 terior is warmly lined with feathers. The four or five 

 eggs are creamy white, finely sprinkled with reddish 

 brown ( .95 x .65 ) . Two or three broods are often raised 

 in a season. 



Range. — Southwestern border of the United States, 

 ranging from southern Texas to California. 



