188 



HOUSE WREN. 



721. Troglodytes wdon. 4% inches. 



Above brownish with tail and wings barred; below 

 dull grayish, barred on the flanks with brown. 



These are bold, sociable and confiding birds, seeming 

 to prefer men's society, building their nests in bird 

 boxes that are erected for them, or in the most unex- 

 pected situations about buildings. They are one of the 

 most beneficial birds that can be attracted to one's yard, 

 feeding wholly upon insects. 



Song. Loud, clear and bubbling over with enthusi- 

 asm. 



Nest. Of grass or weeds, stuffed into any crevice that 

 takes their fancy, frequently in bird boxes and holes in 

 orchard trees ; eggs white, so minutely and thickly dotted 

 with pinkish brown as to nearly conceal the ground 

 color (.64x.52). 



Range. Eastern N. A., breeding north to Maine and 

 Manitoba; winters along the Gulf coast. 721b. Western 

 House Wren ( aztecus ) is found from the Plains to the 

 Pacific coast ranges. 



