142 Bird - Lore 



selves. Although I visited the spot in the afternoon and several times after- 

 ward, I never saw the young Wrens again; but I hope they are safe, and that 

 some of the fourteen raised on our place will return next year. 



Question: Did not the female lay in two nests, and was not one set of 

 eggs incubated by the male bird? 



Carolina Wrens in a Blacksmith Shop 



By CLARA CALHOUN 



THE most interesting nest that came under the observation of the Green 

 Arbor Audubon Club, for the season of 1910, was that of a Carolina 

 Wren. 



The site chosen was in a bolt- rack in a busy country blacksmith shop. 



If Father Wren's consent was obtained to this site, it was while the shop 

 was deserted; as he was never seen inside during the building of the nest 

 and incubation, but cheered his more courageous mate with beautiful songs 

 from nearby. 



As the nest progressed most rapidly during the smith's absences, he be- 

 lieved that both birds worked while he was away. 



The mother bird knew no fear, but flew boldly about, gathering up shavings 

 and excelsior fairly under the smith's hands and feet, approaching the nest 

 over a horse that was being shod, and often keeping her place upon it when 

 the smith worked at the vise for welding tires, which the picture shows, un- 

 daunted by the ringing blows or showeys of sparks. 



The nest was completed and two eggs were laid, when I first visited the 

 shop, July 7. Mrs. Wren kept her place during the shoeing of my horse, 

 but flew off on my too close approach. 



On July 26, when I was again at the shop, the smith reported five eggs 

 and the little mother sitting close; but, as we peered in at her, she showed 

 signs of nervousness, and finally flew off, revealing five newly hatched fledg- 

 lings. 



Father Wren now became brave enough to enter with food when only 

 the smith was about, and all five nestlings grew and throve. But, when they 

 left the nest, one was unable to steer its course for the beautiful outside world 

 and struck the door, crushing its head. 



[The photograph was taken by Prof. C. P. McCormick, of the Bentleyville High 

 School, Washington County, Pa.] 



