Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 685 



Adult: Upper parts, rufous brown, the rump with partially con- 

 cealed white spots; a white superciliary line, bordered above by an 

 indistinct line of blackish (sometimes absent) ; outer webs of primaries 

 with narrow bars of pale brown; inner webs, grayish brown without 

 bars; exposed feathers on the closed wing with faint, narrow, dusky 

 bars; chin, whitish; rest of under parts, pale tawny buff, varying 

 in intensity, deepest on the flanks; upper surface of tail feathers, 

 rufous brown, narrowly barred with dusky; under tail coverts, 

 barred with blackish. Sexes similar. 



Length, 5.30; wing, 2.25; tail, 2.15; bill, .62. 



While the Carolina Wren is abundant in southern Illinois, it is 

 uncommon in the northern part of the state and a rare bird in 

 Wisconsin. It is justly noted as a vocalist, but its charming song 

 is too varied to be described. 



Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me it is a not uncommon summer 

 resident, and breeds in the vicinity of Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois. 

 On August 12, igo8, Mr. John F. Ferry observed two wrens of this 

 species at Lake Forest, Lake County, Illinois, one of which he shot 

 and which proved to be a female. Mr. H. S. Swarth observed a pair 

 at Joliet, 111., May 11, 1907. Mr. F. M. Woodruff says: "Thanks to 

 the protection afforded this bird by Mr. John V. Farwell, Jr., at Lake 

 Forest, Illinois, the species has succeeded in raising several broods in 

 that vicinity." (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 182.) Mrs. Ellen 

 Drummond Farwell observed two of these birds at Lake Forest, 111., 

 and has published some interesting notes regarding their habits (The 

 Auk, 1902, p. 209). 



In Wisconsin Dr. Hoy observed it near Racine. He says: "I 

 met a single wren of this species, July 5, 1852." Kumlien and Hol- 

 lister record a specimen taken near Janesville, Wis., in 1878 and 

 another at Milwaukee taken in 1881. 



The nest is built in holes in stumps or about old buildings. It is 

 a rough affair composed of leaves, feathers, twigs, and coarse grass. 

 The eggs are 4 to 6, creamy white or pinkish white, speckled and 

 marked with brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure about 

 .75 X .58 inches. 



