FOR CAGES AND A VIARIES. 229 



The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. 



This bird, as its name implies, is smaller than the Greater 

 Spotted, being about the size of a Lark ; the red extends 

 over the whole top of the head, forming a kind of cap, 

 and the back is more spotted. It is even more shy and 

 solitary than its larger relative and equally ill-adapted, if 

 not indeed more so, for a life in captivity. 



THE WOOD PIGEON, OR WOOD QUEST. See 



Ringdove (under Doves). 



THE WOOD WREN. See under Wrens. 



THE WRENS. 



The Common Wren. 



With the exception of the Fire-crest, the Common Wren 

 is the smallest of our native birds, and as it resides with 

 us all the year round and is purely insectivorous in its 

 habits, it is quite wonderful how it manages to exist. 



In length it measures 3^ inches, of which the tail takes 

 i inches. The upper part of the body is russet-brown 

 with numerous streaks of a darker shade upon it. The 

 female is lighter in colour, but the two sexes are outwardly 

 very much alike. 



When wild this small bird is found all over Europe, 

 and in this country is very common even in the vicinity 

 of large towns. It builds a large domed nest of moss in 

 a great variety of situations, and snugly lines it with 

 small feathers. Many nests are begun and abandoned 

 before a site is finally fixed upon ; and the eggs, which 

 number from six to nine, are white, lightly spotted with 

 reddish-brown. 



In winter it comes nearer houses, sleeps under the 



