97 



The colours of the female are less vivid than those 

 of the male. 



This is the smallest British bird, and is chiefly 

 found in woods. 



Its nest is composed of moss, and lined with 

 wool ; it is of a round form, with an opening on one 

 side. 



The female lays 6 or 7 white eggs, spotted, scarcely 

 larger than a pea. 



19. TROGLODYTES. \ COMMON 



TROG. EUROP^EUS, SHAW.J WREN, 



T. griseus, alls nigro cinereogue undulatis. Shaw. 



The bill is slender and curved, of a horn colour, 

 beneath yellow : irides dark ; the upper parts are 

 clear brown, waved with pale and dark brown ; the 

 throat is dingy white ; the cheeks and breast are the 

 same, dappled with brown ; the quills and tail marked 

 with alternate bars, of reddish brown and black ; the 

 legs are olive brown. 



The nest of the common wren is curiously con- 

 structed, of an oval shape, with one small entrance. 

 It is formed of moss, and invariably lined with fea- 

 thers, its outside being adapted to the substance 

 against which it is placed ; if against a mossy tree, 

 it is covered with lichen. 



The female lays from 10 to 18 dirty white eggs, 

 spotted with red. 



