W^isconsin Bird-Study Bulletin. 



HOUSE WREN. 



Abundant summer resident; length five inches; sexes alike; nesi of 

 twigs lined with grasses or feathers, in vines about buildings or in a 

 hole or box; eggs five to eight; broods two or three; song a strong 

 cheery warble. 



The robin, bluebird and tree-swallow have settled down to their 

 housekeeping by the time this little brown sprite makes his appear- 

 ance and begins to look around for a cozy nook or hole or box. 



He generally comes in full song and that morning is a happy one 

 that hears his joyous warble for the first time. To the grown-up this 

 first spring song of the wren is much the same as the first snow-fall 

 to the child. 



What a singer this busy little body is ! From early in the morning 

 till dusk he repeats his short but whole-souled warble. The rests 

 between songs are about as long — or short as the song itself, so this 

 musical mite is singing about half of the time. The robin sings his 

 "cheer-up" well into the summer, but it becomes conspicuously a 

 morning and evening song. The bluebird soon settles down into 

 quiet watchfulness; his heavenly blue still pleases the eye but the 

 ear listens in vain for the accompanying flute-notes. A brief period 

 of courtship occurs between the flying of the first brood and the com- 

 pletion of the second set of eggs. In this short interval the welcome 

 song is again heard but it soon gives way to the serious duties of 

 life. The wren on the contrary, is a good lover. He is never too 

 serious to sing. He is a veritable Mark Tapley: the cares of life 

 only serve to increase his good nature. As long as there is an egg 

 unhatched or a youngster to be fed, he cheera his mate and his neigh- 

 bors with his song. 



Ever on the alert, he gives timely warning of the approach of 

 their arch-enemy the cat, and vigorously resents the close approach 

 of their human friends by a rapid clicking or chattering note that 

 amounts almost to a hiss. 



He reminds one of Sir William Jones's lines: 

 "What constitutes a state? 

 Men who their duties know, 

 But know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain." 



