IN NOVA SCOTIA. — PIERS. 205 



name Troglodytes, wliich haw been given to the Wrens, signifies 

 ' one that creeps into holes.' It has been so applied because of 

 their custom of nesting in cavities and other out-of-the-way 

 nooks. This secretive habit seems to be common to both the old 

 and the new-world forms, and largely accounts for the scarcity 

 of facts relating to the nidification of the species at present under 

 consideration. 



I shall now speak of the nest and eggs in my own possession, 

 of which a full description will be given. 



They were found, about May 11th, 1891, by my brother 

 while fishing at Kidston's Lake near the Rocking Stone, >Spry- 

 field, Halifax County. One of the parent birds was then seen at 

 the nest. On May 22nd I examined them and took one of the 

 eggs ; on which occasion the bird was again observed. Another 

 visit was made on the fifth of the following month (June). 

 Several times I saw the bird enter and leave the nest. It was 

 probably the female. When disturbed, she hurried away with- 

 out the slightest noise, usually flying to the ground and 

 rapidly hopping out of sight, as though ashamed of her little 

 home. Nor did she seem very anxious about its security while 

 we were occupied in examining it. This was very different from 

 most other birds, which keep diligent guard over their eggs, of 

 whose safety they seem extremely solicitous, and in defending 

 which they often exhibit great instinctive pugnacity. At one 

 time the Wren proceeded toward the outer end of a dead tree- 

 trunk, where she captured some larva, and then whilst retaining 

 hold of the animal with the bill, killed it by several vigorous 

 blows directed against the wood. These strokes could be dis- 

 tinctly heard, although the bird was a rod or two away. Such 

 an incident illustrates the want of maternal concern which has 

 just been noted. Once while she was within the nest, T placed 

 a landino--net over the entrance and held her for a short time, so 

 as to put the question of identification beyond a doubt. 



After observing as much as possible, I cut out a square of the 

 moss with my knife, and so obtained the nest and eggs. It 

 seemed a pity to miss an opportunity of thoroughly examining 

 them, and the bird undoubtedly would again build. 



