PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 287 



superciliary stripe, and no trace of barring on the rump, or white spots on the 

 median coverts, [w. P. p.] 



2. Distribution. This species is generally distributed throughout the 

 whole of Europe and its outlying islands, as well as North Africa and Asia, but as 

 it is everywhere resident it tends to division into various local races. Thus the 

 Icelandic, Faeroese, Norwegian, Shetland, and even the St. Kilda birds have all 

 been separated, and other forms have been described from Asia. In the British 

 Isles it is universally distributed, from the tops of our highest mountains to the 

 barren islets off our coasts. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. Although our breeding birds are resident, yet there is con- 

 siderable immigration of birds from the Continent in autumn. " In 1881 

 the migration extended over 80 days, from July the 17th at Flamborough, to 

 October the 4th" (Nelson, B. of Yorks., 1907, p. 118). The return migration 

 begins in March and continues in some degree till May. The wren often occurs 

 on vessels crossing the North Sea, and is seen at the lighthouse lanterns 

 round our coasts. " Usually only a few travel in company " (Forrest, Fauna 

 N. Wales, 1907, p. 109). [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. The sites used are very varied : in banks, thick bushes, 

 brambles, ivy, haystacks, tree-roots, and many other situations, some of the most 

 extraordinary nature, but generally not more than a few feet from the ground. 

 It is spherical in shape, with a neat round opening at the side, and is constructed 

 of materials which match the surroundings hay, bracken, moss, grasses, lichens, 

 leaves, etc., warmly lined with feathers when built for breeding purposes, but not 

 otherwise. (PL xi.) Both sexes are expert builders, and the cock often con- 

 structs one or two supplementary nests. Eggs usually 5-7 or 8 in number, as a 

 rule, but clutches of 10-11 have been occasionally recorded. They are white, 

 finely speckled with reddish brown, especially at the big end, but sometimes 

 unmarked. (PL C.) Average size of 100 eggs, '64 x '49 in. [16'49 x 12*54 mm.]. 

 Laying begins generally about the latter part of April or early in May. Both 

 sexes share in incubation. Period of incubation 13-14 days. A second brood 

 is frequently reared. [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. This species is for the most part insectivorous ; the nestlings are 

 fed by both parents on small insects, crane-flies, moth larvae, etc. In winter, 

 seeds, etc., are eaten. [A. L. T.] 



6. Song Period. More or less at all seasons. [A. L. T.] 



