26 WEEN. 



Site. In hole in wall or tree, &c., usually near the ground. 

 If the hole is too large it will cement up the orifice with 

 mud mixed in the beak with adhesive saliva. 



Materials. Dead leaves, grass, and scraps of bark. 



Eggs. Five to seven. White, spotted with brownish red, 

 and sometimes grey shell-spottings. Much like the Great 

 Tit's, but rather larger. 



Family TROGLODYTIDJE. 



WREN (Troglodytes parvulus). 



Resident. Well distributed and common. 



Haunts. Hedges, woods, &c. 



Plumage. Upper parts reddish brown, transversely barred 

 with dusky brown ; whitish streak over eye. Wings barred 

 alternately with black and brown and buff on outer webs. 

 Tail dusky, barred with black, and stumpy; under parts 

 pale reddish brown. Bill dark brown above and paler below 

 and rather long. Legs light brown. Female slightly smaller, 

 duller and browner beneath. Young more rufous and less 

 distinctly barred. 



Language. Song, rapid and loud for so small a bird; 

 somewhat like the Hedge Sparrow's, but more varied, and 

 terminating with a little trill. Alarm-note, a sharp clicking 

 " chit," like the noisy winding-up of a clock. 



Habits In winter more confiding, otherwise a skulker, 

 creeping about the bottom of hedges, and coming up to the 

 top of a small bough to fire off its rapid notes at intervals. It 

 is most jealous of its nest and makes many false ones known 

 as " cock-nests." Flight rapid and peculiar, the wings 

 being most rapidly vibrated in a whirring manner like the 

 Partridge. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, spiders, &c. ; in winter, 

 more omnivorous. 



Nest. April onwards. Two broods. 



Site. A variety of places, usually amongst ivy, against 

 tree-trunk, in grassy bank, in thatch or side of rick, in furze, 

 brambles, &c. 



Materials. Varying according to site, as the nest is usually 

 composed of materials harmonizing with its surroundings. 

 Dead leaves, grass, moss, bents, fern-fronds, &c., lined with 

 moss, hair, and feathers. Domed nest. 



Eggs. Five to eight or more. White, thinly spotted with 

 red. 



