200 CAROLINA WEEN 



bills move as the sound pours out. Indeed, this 

 is a wise precaution to observe wherever there is 

 any doubt, for there is sometimes more than one 

 bird in a tree ! The Cardinal and Titmouse begin 

 to sing in February, but the Wren sings through- 

 out the year, except when moulting, even in the 

 stormiest and coldest weather, for he is a brave- 

 spirited little fellow. 



Though he sings so freely, the Carolina is not 

 always easily seen. He looks over at you quite 

 frankly from the opposite bank of a stream, but 

 when you have crossed he has vanished. 



In some places he is less shy, and builds with- 

 out hesitation in nesting-boxes provided for him. 

 Mr. Oberholser records an interesting case in 

 which a pair built inside a barn, entering through 

 a knothole. Though the birds were disturbed 

 at visitors, when the nest was taken outside the 

 barn and put on the ground they did not forsake 

 their young, but bravely kept on feeding them as 

 before. When left to provide for themselves, the 

 Carolinas often build in old Woodpecker holes. 

 The eggs are white, marked with lavender. 



