360 BRITISH BIRDS' JOUSTS. 



hole is usually from six or seven to twelve or fourteen 

 inches deep. In orchards, spinneys, parks, woods, 

 and well-tinihered districts generally, in the South 

 and West of England, and as far north as York. 



MateyiaJs. — None, the eggs heing laid on the 

 wood dust and fine chips at the bottom of the hole. 



Eggs. — Five to nine, six being the general 

 number, white and glossy. Size about '76 by -58 in. 

 Distinguished from those of the Wryneck only by 

 smaller size and a sight of parents. 



Time. — April and May. 



Bemarls. — Eesident. Notes : tic-tic, or liiiJi- 

 JiiuJi. Local and other names : Crank Bird, Pump- 

 borer, Least-spotted Woodpecker, Little Black and 

 White Woodpecker, Hickwall, Barred Woodpecker. 

 Sits closely. 



WREN, COMMON. 



Description of Pcu-ent Birds. — Length a little 

 under four inches ; bill of moderate length, slightly 

 carved downwards, dark brown on the top, and 

 light brown underneath. Irides hazel. A dull, 

 whitish line runs over the e^'e and ear-coverts. 

 Head, nape, back, and rump reddish-brown, faintly 

 marked on the two latter with wavy bars of light 

 and dark brown ; wing and tail feathers marked 

 with light reddish-brown and black bars ; chin, 

 cheeks, throat, and breast greyish-white, tinged 

 wdth buff ; belly, sides, and thighs light brown, 

 marked with narrow^ w^avy bars of a darker tint of 

 the same colour ; under tail-coverts indistinctly 

 spotted with black and dirty white ; legs, toes, and 

 claws jDale brown. 



The female is rather smaller, duller on her 

 upper-parts, and darker beneath. 



