6/ 



MOTACILLA TROGLODYTES. 



Syst. Nat. 337. 



BROWN WREN. 



PLATE LXVII. 



he bill is slender, black at the point, dusky at the 

 base. The iris is narrow, and of a pale brown; the 

 pupil, black. Over the eye is a line of pale brown ; the 

 head, back, wings, and tail, are of a strong tawny 

 brown, the feathers being checquered or barred across 

 with black ; which barring is most conspicuous in the 

 wings and tail. The throat, breast, and belly, are of a 

 pale dusky buff-colour ; the last faintly crossed with 

 small brown bars. The legs and feet are a pale brown. 

 " The Wren," says Mr. Pennant, " may be placed 

 " amongst the first of our singing birds ; it continues its 

 " song throughout the winter, except during the frosts." 

 And the Honourable Daines Barrington allows it a 

 considerable place in his Balance of Singing Birds ; 

 ascribing to it, twelve degrees of sprightly notes, four 

 degrees of composition, and four degrees of execution. 



