CACTUS WHEN. 



713. Heleodytes brunneicapillus. 8^ inches. 



Cactus groves are the favorite resorts of these large 

 Wrens. Often a bed of cactus not more than thirty 

 feet square will contain the homes of half a dozen pairs 

 of them. Like all the members of the family, they are 

 very sprightly and have violent tempers, scolding anyone 

 or anything that incurs their displeasure. 



Nest. Their nests are placed in cactus or other 

 thorny shrubs; they are very large, purse-shaped affairs 

 with an entrance on the side; they are made of little 

 thorny twigs and grasses woven together, and the in- 

 terior is warmly lined with feathers. The four or five 

 eggs are creamy white, finely sprinkled with reddish 

 brown ( .95 x .65 ) . Two or three broods are often raised 

 in a season. 



Range. Southwestern border of the United States, 

 ranging from southern Texas to California. 



