280 LAND BIRDS 
Breeding Season : March and April. 
Nest: Usually placed in a rift of rocks or on the ground under a project- 
ing rock, sometimes in hollow stumps or about buildings ; composed 
of sticks, bark strips, weeds, grasses, moss, etc. 
Eggs: 7 t09; pure glossy white, finely speckled with a few reddish 
brown spots, chiefly at the larger end. Size 0.72 X 0.54. 
AFTER finding this Wren, the only land bird among 
the thousands of sea fowl on the Farallone Islands, one 
is inclined to believe that he is well named, since all he 
asks for in a home are bare bleak rocks in which to 
hide. 
In the deserted rocky caiions, where even sparse vege- 
tation refuses to grow, he may be seen busily hunting 
insects in the crevices of the rocks, dodging in and out 
among the boulders, picking up spiders and worms, and 
uttering his crisp, loud note. If you startle him he will 
fly a few feet to the top of a small rock and, facing you, 
sway from side to side, scolding and bobbing in comical 
excitement. It may be that his nest is close by in one 
of the dark crannies, but, as a rule, only the master and 
mistress of the household can pass through the narrow 
doorway. About the entrance is a curious conglomera- 
tion of treasures, evidently carried there by the bird. 
Bits of glass, pebbles, shells, and anything else that 
strikes his fancy, are carefully collected in his dooryard. 
On the Farallones, mussel shells, small bones, and small 
pieces of coal form the usual collection. The nest itself 
is lined with feathers and hair or wool, or any available 
soft substance. While you are searching for it, the gay 
little Rock Wren is doing his best to lead you astray. 
As Mr. Keyser so aptly says, “‘ He will leap upon a rock 
