122 BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



in Spring. Makes, like its relatives, a peculiar drumming 

 noise, produced by rapid vibration of beak when searching 

 for insects. 

 Plumage. — Dirty white on forehead and lower parts; bright-red 

 crown; black nape, back, and wings, barred with white; black 

 tail, with white tips and black bars on outer feathers; red iris. 

 Length. — Five and a half inches. 



WREN, BROWN (Troglodytes parvulus) 



Local Names. — Birritie, Bobbie Wren, Chitty Wren, Crackadee, 

 Crackit, Cutty Wren, Jenny Wren, Jilliver Wren, Jimpo, Katy 

 Wren, Kitty Wren, Our Lady's Hen, Ran, Sally Wren, Scutty, 

 Stag, Tidley Creeper, Tidley Wren, Titty Dodger, Titty Wren, 

 Tomtit, Tope, Vraun, Wrannock, W T ranny. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, hedgerows, and gardens. 



Nesting Period. — March onwards. 



Site of Nest. — Hedges, bracken, holes in posts, and quarries; also in 

 haystacks, banks, outbuildings, etc. 



Materials Used. — A domed nest, with small hole near the roof; dead 

 leaves, mosses, lichens, and twigs, lined with hair and feathers. 



Eggs. — Six to Twelve. White, with faint red spots. 



Food. — Insects, spiders, wood-lice, and scraps in Winter. 



Voice. — Call, " tit," " tit-it," and a loud, high-pitched song, won- 

 derfully powerful for such a small bird. 



Chief Features. — Plump body, short tail, remarkable song, butterfly- 

 like flight, mouse-like creeping habits, and shy nature. Nest 

 often harmonises with surroundings. Sings in depth of Winter, 

 and has no definite song period. 



Plumage. — Above reddish-brown, with transverse dusky bars ; quills 

 alternately barred with black and reddish-brown; dusky tail, 

 with black bars; pale narrow streak over eye; reddish-brown 

 underneath; dark streaks on flanks and thighs. Length. — 

 Three inches and a half. 



WREN, GOLDEN-CRESTED {Regulus cristatus) 



Local Names. — Bee Bird, Crowned Kinglet, Crowned Wren, Golden- 

 Crested Kinglet, Golden - Crested Regulus, Golden - Crested 

 Warbler, Herring-Spink, Kinglet, Marygold Finch, Miller's 

 Thumb, Moonie, Tidley Finch, Tot-o'er-Seas, Whiskey, White 

 Wren, Woodcock Pilot, Wood Titmouse. 



Haunt. — Woods, plantations, and large gardens. 



Nesting Period. — April to June. 



Site of Nest. — Under a branch of a fir tree. 



