RIRDtf NEHTS. 363 



of several nests, but whenever one is found with 

 an inner lining of feathers it is sure to be laid in. 



Eggs. Four to eight, generally from five to 

 seven, although as many as twelve and fourteen, 

 and even twenty, have upon rare occasions been 

 found. White, sparingly spotted with brownish- 

 red of varying shades, generally distributed at the 

 larger end.' Specimens are sometimes found quite 

 unspotted. When I discovered the ivy-surrounded 

 nest (figuring in the circular illustration) it con- 

 tained three unspotted eggs, and I remarked to 

 my brother that the layer was in a poor state 

 of health. We photographed it on the Saturday 

 afternoon, and as I was anxious to secure one of 

 the eggs, I visited the nest at six o'clock on the 

 following Monday morning, and found the hen 

 inside. I went away for an hour, and when I re- 

 turned she was still on her eggs, and I discovered 

 that she was quite dead and in a very emaciated 

 condition. On dissection there was no sign of 

 further eggs in her body. Size about -7 by -51 in. 



Time. April, May, June, and July. 



Remarks. Resident. Notes : alarm, a jarring 

 kind of note ; song, loud, joyous, and heard all 

 the year round. Local and other names : Cutty 

 Wren, Titty Wren, Jenny W"ren (a name also applied 

 to the Chiffchaff and Willow Wren), Tom Tit (in 

 the North of England), Kitty Wren. A close sitter. 



WREN, ST. KILDA. 



To Mr. Dixon, who gave it the distinguishing 

 name here used, belongs the honour of first dis- 

 covering the differences between this bird and the 

 Common Wren. According to his observations 



