EGGS: 



The complement of eggs varies from five to nine. The first set contains more than the second, and 

 the second more than the third. They measure from .62 to .72 in long-diameter, and from .48 to .55 in 

 short-diameter. A set of six eggs, collected by Mr. J. M. Thayer, of Cleveland, measures, respectively, 

 .67 x .53, .67 x 50, .67 x .51, .66 x .51, .65 x .49, and .70 x .52. Another set of six, from Fayette county, 

 averages about .65 x .50. The ground-color of the shell is sometimes white, sometimes pinkish or pinkish- 

 gray in tint. The markings are uniformly brown-madder ; but the deep shell-marks appear bluish or pur- 

 plish. The following descriptions of eggs show the common variations in pattern: No. 1 is marked, upon a 

 white ground, with speckles and minute dots, everywhere so thickly and uniformly distributed as to nearly 

 obscure the ground. No. 2 has a pinkish ground, and is pretty thickly marked over its whole surface 

 with almost invisible speckles. No. 3 is plentifully marked with spots and speckles about the smaller 

 end, and has a well-marked wreath about the base, composed of irregular dots and lines confluent with 

 each other and with numerous deep shell-marks. No. 4 shows, between fine speckles, small patches of 

 white ground about the point, and has a well-marked wreath of dots about the crown. No. 5 is similar 

 to No. 4, except that the speckles are about the base and the wreath is about the point. The shape of 

 the eggs varies considerably, some are slender and pointed, others are elliptical, with bat little difference 

 in the length of the axes. Between these extremes there are various forms. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 



Since writing the description of the nest and eggs of the Bewick's Wren, I have found four nests 

 of that species, containing from four to six eggs each. On comparing these five nests, with their accom- 

 panying eggs, with those of the other Wrens, the following points of similarity and difference are 

 apparent: The nest of the Bewick's Wren resembles, in materials of construction and workmanship, that 

 of the Carolina Wren closer than that of the House Wren ; but, in size and shape, it is more like the 

 latter. When the nest of the House Wren is confined to a small space, it approaches very closely the 

 nest of the Bewick's Wren. The lining of the two nests is often exactly alike, but the foundation and 

 superstructure of the House Wren's nest is seldom composed of as fine and various materials as is the 

 nest of the Bewick's Wren, and its cavity is, as a rule, a little deeper and a little less in diameter. The 

 difference in the materials of construction is apparent in the illustrations. When the House Wren is 

 not limited in space, its nest is unique. The eggs of the House Wren generally bear but little resem- 

 blance to those of the Bewick's Wren, or to any of the family. Exceptional specimens are sometimes so 

 sparingly marked as to look like the eggs of the Bewick's Wren, and sometimes so heavily marked that 

 they bear a great similarity to eggs of the Long-billed Marsh Wren. The eggs of the Carolina Wren 

 are the largest, the eggs of the Bewick's Wren come next, and those of the Short-billed Marsh Wren 

 last. The eggs of the House Wren and Long-billed Marsh Wren are the same in size, and smaller, 

 on the average, than those of the Bewick's Wren. 



REMARKS : 



The illustration, Plate L, respesents a nest of the House Wren, taken June 12th, 1883, from a 

 hollow apple-tree, on the grounds of Mrs. Ide, at Columbus. It was in the main trunk of the tree, 

 about two feet from the ground. It is of rather small size in external dimensions, but its position and 

 materials of construction are typical. In order to picture the nest to advantage, it was necessary to lift 

 it from its position, as was done with the nests of the Carolina Wren and the Bewick's Wren. The 

 eggs figured were selected from about a dozen sets. They represent the usual variations in size, shape, 

 and markings. 



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