LIST AND DESCRIPTION 131 
Missouri River westward. Larger than our well known House 
Wren and of paler plumage. The general color is grayish mixed 
with black, very little of the cinnamon brown showing on the 
rump. It nests in the rocky bluffs of rivers and badlands. 
721a. WersTERN House WREN (Troglodytes aedon parkmani.) 
A small bird about five inches long. Above, brownish 
gray with narrow black bars. Below, lighter. 
This is the common Wren that comes familiarly about our 
homes, and is always active and always singing. The Wrens 
will build a nest in any sort of house that is made for them, 
and a second home will generally secure their second brood. 
They are exceedingly useful in destroying insects. The song 
of the Wren with its cheery, gurgling melody, is always welcome 
in the spring. 
722. WINTER WREN (Nannus hiemalis hiemalis.) 
Probably only a summer resident. The smallest of our 
Wrens. Above, dark brown, irregularly barred with black and 
white. Below, brown; sides and belly barred with black. 
724. SHORT-BILLED MarsH WREN (Cistothorus stellaris.) 
A common resident in the marshes of the eastern and 
southern parts of the State. Its nest, which is a hollow ball of 
grasses entered from the side, is lashed to the rushes. Ere the 
female arrives from the south the male has built several “cock 
nests,” hoping that she will choose one of them. The House 
Wren shows similar habits when he carries a few twigs into sev- 
eral bird houses. 
Slightly smaller than the House Wren and more or less 
streaked with white on the back; sides rusty. 
725d. Pratrtre MarsH WREN (Telmatodytes palustris iliacus.) 
A summer resident wherever sloughs or marshes abound 
in the State. One inch longer than No. 724. Above, streaked 
with black, mixed with brown and white. Below, white, washed 
with rusty. 
