Nests in Buildings, Bridges, Walls, Etc. 
in number from 4 to 6, and sometimes 7, are white or pinkish, 
with numerous reddish brown and purplish spots and specks 
more thickly distributed about the larger end. Size—.64 x .50. 
See Fig. 17, Plate B. 
Bewick’s Wren may be distinguished from the house wren 
principally by its longer tail; the habits are very similar. 
721. House Wren: Troglodytes aédon Vieill. 
Adult—Upper parts grayish hazel brown, more or less barred; 
under parts light gray, faintly barred with brownish on the 
flanks. Length—5.oo. 
Breeding Range—Throughout the Eastern States. 
The nest is composed of almost any material, twigs, hay, 
and feathers being most often used, the lining being of soft feathers; 
any sort of place is selected for a building site, such as a hole in 
a tree, crevices or niches in walls or houses, behind shutters, on 
rafters, etc. 
The eggs are usually so thickly covered with reddish or 
pinkish brown or chocolate markings that the white or whitish 
ground colour is partly or entirely hidden; the number varies 
from 4 to 7, sometimes 9. Size—.60 x .48. See Fig. 18, 
Plate C. 
The nesting season begins about the middle of May, and the 
places selected may well cause surprise, nests having been found 
in the skulls of cattle lying in open fields, but I think buildings 
are most often chosen. I have known of a case where a nest 
was built in an inhabited room. The name of House Wren fits 
these birds to perfection, especially during the breeding season, 
when they may be seen almost invariably within a short distance 
of a building. 
722. Winter Wren: Troglodytes hiemalis Vieill. 
Aduit—Upper parts reddish brown, more or less barred and 
slightly spotted; under parts brownish gray, barred, par- 
ticularly on the sides; tail and bill short. Length—4.06. 
Breeding Range—From the Northern States northward, and in 
the mountainous regions, southward to North Carolina. 
The nest, which is placed in hollow stumps among the roots 
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