short time before us a lion's nest. When tcikou possession of by the Wren, the box was nearly full of 

 straw and grass. In this, near one corner, a cavity was made to receive the nest. The illustration shows 

 the nest as it Avas lifted froni the cavity, some of the grasses still hanging to it. The materials used in 

 its construction are like those in No. 2, even to the pieces of snake-skin. The eggs figured are of the 

 usual sizes and markings. The mother-bird was at home when the nest was discovered, and was with 

 difficulty persuaded to abandon it. She scolded and hopped about, all the while jerking her tail by way 

 of emphasis in a Wren-like manner. Herniate showed his interest in the proceedings by uttering a few 

 Squeaking sounds, and then flying off to a neighboring tree, where he commenced his rollicking song. 



The persistency of this bird is sometimes remarkable. They have been knoAvn to rebuild a nest 

 eight or ten times before abandoning the chosen locality. A few years ago a pair commenced nesting 

 in the wooden spout of a pump, and, as the pump was in daily use, the selection proved not a happy 

 one. Xo sooner would the birds fill up the spout than it would be torn away. In an hour they Avould 

 collect rubbish enough to again effectually prevent the flow of water. For two days they persisted in 

 their Avork, but finally, in apparently good humor, gave it up, and selected a box put up for their use. 



A nest placed upon a window-sill of a country house, between the shutter and the sash, had a beau- 

 tiful domed-roof, and a walk the width of the sill and sixteen inches long, leading to the door-way, com- 

 posed of fine rootlets and grass. This nest was torn down by the house-wife, but the next afternoon a 

 similar structure met her eyes. This was permitted to remain until six eggs were deposited ; it was then 

 added to my collection. In a few days another, but more elaborate nest, was constructed. Much pleased 

 with the plucky little architects, their last effort was left undisturbed, and a ftimily of six Wrens Avas 

 raised, to the amusement of the household, Avho Avatched their queer movements through the Avindow- 

 panes. 



In Ross county, a pair of Wrens occupied for a number of years the pocket of a cast-off coat hang- 

 ing in a Avood-shed. Every season the pocket Avas emptied of the old nest to save the birds the trouble. 

 Ill making their daily rounds, they always passed in and out the shed through a knot-hole or chink be- 

 tween the boards, even Avhen the door and AvindoAvs were open, a habit very characteristic of the bird. 

 This attachment to place is hoAvever not ahvays so strongly manifested. It is not uncommon for a pair 

 to return year after year to the same neighborhood, but as a rule they build in a different site each 

 summer. 



J. M. Wheaton, M, D., to Avhose Avork on Ohio birds I am indebted for the quotation at the begin- 

 ning of this article, is of opinion that the Carolina Wren has been increasing in numbers in the city 

 of Columbus and vicinity, in late years. A similar statement Avill apply to nearly all the towns in 

 central and southern Ohio. The folloAving interesting observations are quoted from the same authoi' : 



"The Carolina Wren frequently climbs trees. On the first occasion that I noticed this habit, a pair 

 of them ascended the trunk of a large oak tree for more than fifty feet. They accomplished this exactly 

 in the manner of the creeper, uoav moving up and noAv circling around, only stopping a moment, noAv 

 and then, to peer and pick in the crevices of the bark, and at short intervals uttering a single note like 

 that of the iS"uthatch, but loAver and softer. I have several times witnessed the same actions. 



" There is a marked variation in color among these birds. Some have the broAvn of upper parts 

 decidedly suffused Avitli ashy, the under parts AA-jiitish or ashy Avithout a trace of taAvny on breast or 

 abdomen ; others have the upper parts rich dark red-broAvn, Avith hardly a trace of ashy even on the 

 head, Avhile the under parts are bright uniform ferrugineous. BetAveen these extremes every intermediate 

 phase may be found. These differences are not distinctive of age, sex, or season. I have found both 

 forms in the same brood of young before they Avere fully fledged, the contrast being as decided as in 

 young birds of the (iray and Red varieties of the Mottled OavI." 



63 



