Keyes, Ti-ie Iowan Raptores. 



21 



knows the "Big Hoot Owl, with ears on his head." It is the largest Owl we 

 have. The Cooper's Hawk is sometimes called the "Bullet Hawk" from the 

 swiftness of its flight. It is also known as the "Small Hen Hawk," both names 

 being appropriate. It is smaller in appearance than a crow, has a tail long in 

 proportion to its body, is slaty-brown in color, and is usually quick and nervous 

 in its movements. 



THE WRENS OF BURLINGTON, IOWA. 



BY PAUL BARTSCH. 



PERHAPS no other group of birds in this locahty is more interesting than 

 our httle busy bodies, the Wrens. Their queer, ever variable attitudes 

 mingled with spirit of mischief and restlessness make then a pleasing mark to 

 the eye. Should we spend some time in watching them in the performance of 

 their domestic duties, beginning with courtship, wars, selection of nesting sight, 

 and finally view the happy family, we will agree to ascribe to them superior 

 intellect over many of their feathered companions. 



The most abundant of the five species is the House Wren i: Troglodytes 

 aedon), the tenant of our bird box, the fearless enemy of the English Sparrow;, 

 with whom he successfully copes for the right to this, their domicile. 



* The httle fellow arrives about April .25th from his Southern journey and 

 at once greets us with his vivacious, ratthng song. He inspects the premises 

 most carefully and gives vent to his pleasure in his ceaseless chant. The female 

 soon follows, maybe a day or two later and is joyfully received by her mate. 



Many skirmishes now take place between the Sparrows and the Wren but 

 Mr. Wren generally holds his own and finally lays claim' to the bird house, 

 which has been cleaned on his return. He now has a mania for filling up every 

 box with sticks and frequently becomes a nuisance when he persists in filling a 

 mail box not intended for that purp(^,se. Even this passes and; graver duties call 

 liis attention. He has been quiet for some; time, only occasionally in early 

 morning and perhaps at eve has his song greeted our ears, and his angry rattle 

 warns us when we approach too close to the house containing his treasures. 



Mrs. Wren seems absent most of the time for we seldom see her and when 

 she appears en the scene it is only to take a sun bath and some food and then 

 she returns quietly to her beauties. In due time we are informed of the pres- 

 ence of a younger generation by the sounds that eminate from the bird house. 

 New life seems to have entered the pair and busily they both carry food to the 

 young family, ai:d hundreds and hundreds of trips do they make in a single 

 day, always prepared to place something into their gaping bills. Most interesting 

 of all, is the family on the move, the angry warning rattle hardly ever ceases. 

 Cats, dogs, everything that creates the least suspicion is scolded by the pair, 



* These notes were taken from observations made on a pair ^^'hiell in- 

 habited one of our bird houses for a number of years. 



