WRENS. 



509 



True Wrens. 



while others occur in Patagonia and North- West America. Among a large number 

 of generic types (nineteen), space admits of our noticing but two. 



The common wren and its congeners have the beak of moderate 

 size, pointed and slightly curved; the wing being very short and 

 rounded, and the tail also comparatively short and rounded. The feet are strong 

 for so small a bird, and the metatarsus is comparatively long. Typically a 

 European bird, the common wren (Troglodytes vulgaris) is represented in the 

 Kurile Islands by a race remarkable for its long bill ; while the Japanese wren is 

 darker and more rufous on the under-parts than the British one. Mr. Seebohm 

 considers, however, that 

 in the colour of the 

 upper -parts the various 

 forms of wrens com- 

 pletely intergrade, so 

 that it is impossible to 

 draw a line anywhere 

 between the palest desert 

 forms from Algeria and 

 Turkestan and tfye dark- 

 est tropical forms from 

 Kashmir and Sikhim. 

 A pale form of wren 

 inhabits even the desolate 

 Behring Island. 



The common wren 

 is one of the most familiar 

 of European birds, its 

 sweet ringing song being 

 heard at almost every 

 season of the year, not 

 excepting frosty weather. 

 The wren builds a pretty 

 domed nest, varying 

 in material with the 

 situation ; one of the most unattractive that we have seen being built of strong 

 wheat straws with a little hay added to the dome. Other nests have been made of 

 green moss studded with lichen on the outside, but whatever the material employed 

 the nest is always domed. The eggs are white, finely spotted with red. Mr. 

 Dresser remarks that " the wren has a peculiar habit of building nests which 

 are not required for the purposes of incubation. Although it does not appear 

 that anyone has been able satisfactorily to show for what purpose they are 

 constructed, my own opinion is that they are intended as houses of refuge 

 during cold or inclement weather ; and this has been shared by many other 

 naturalists. The wren appears to be susceptible of cold ; and, during the winter, 

 an entire family will creep into a convenient hole, and by huddling close together 

 retain as much heat as possible." We have captured wrens in their roost in 



WRENS AND THEIR NEST. 



