THE CAROLINA WREN. 



( Thryothorus ludovicianus. ) 



This little brown bird is sufficiently 

 hardy to remain throughout the year a 

 resident of the localities which it fre- 

 quents. This is true except in the north- 

 ern part of its range, which covers the 

 eastern United States as far north as 

 the states of Wisconsin and Connecti- 

 cut. 



The Carolina Wren does not enjoy 

 the society of men and unlike its rela- 

 tive, the house wren, does not seek 

 "the cozy nooks and corners about the 

 house of man," but rather the distant 

 shrubbery and the forest. Here it hides 

 and is more often heard than seen. In 

 spite of this show of timidity it is not 

 so shy and retiring as it would seem. 

 It loves the privacy and seclusion of the 

 forest yet it will frequently visit the gar- 

 den and explore outhouses. "If we at- 

 tempt to penetrate its hidden resorts it 

 hurries away into deeper recesses with 

 a low fluttering near the ground, or 

 scrambling and hopping from one 'bush 

 to another, very likely mocking us with 

 its rollicking song as soon as it feels 

 perfectly secure. 



It is restless and curious like the other 

 wrens. Perhaps it is even more inquis- 

 itive than its sister species, for it is cer- 

 tainly more active. Frightened from a 

 favorite perch the Carolina Wren will re- 

 turn and, from a safe cover of foliage, 

 slyly examine the cause that disturbed it, 

 "peering from among the leaves with an 

 inquisitive air, all the while teetering its 

 body and performing odd nervous antics 

 as if it were possessed with the very spirit 

 of unrest." When disturbed it seems to 

 challenge the intruder with a chattering 

 note that has a harsh and decidedly quer- 

 ulous tone. 



It seems almost incredible that such a 

 delicate and sprightly being should ex- 

 hibit so much temper and resentment. 

 Intrusion of its chosen territory by its 

 own kind is resented even more vehe- 



The Carolina Wren possesses a won- 

 .derful vocabulary with appropriate notes 

 for all occasions. It is highly musical. 

 Its song is rich and sweet, voluble and 

 melodious, loud and clear and seemingly 

 as happily delivered in one season as in 

 another. Mr. Chapman says : "He is 

 sometimes called Mocking Wren, but the 

 hundreds of birds I have heard were all 

 too original to borrow from others. In 

 addition to his peculiar calls he possesses 

 a variety of loud, ringing whistles some- 

 what similar in tone to those of the tuft- 

 ed titmouse or cardinal and fully as loud, 

 if not louder^ than the notes of the lat- 

 ter." 



It is difficult to state its preference in 

 regard to its choice of nesting sites, for 

 it will select any place that suits its fancy. 

 The hollow of a tree or a stump, a thick- 

 ly branching shrub or a secluded nook in 

 some unfrequented outhouse, perhaps 

 with a knothole for a doorway — all these 

 places are equally suitable and some one 

 of them will meet the taste of this posi- 

 tive little bird. 



The materials used in the construction 

 of the bulky nests are any fibrous sub- 

 stance, sticks, leaves, fine grasses and "in 

 fact trash of any kind." The lining of the 

 ball-like nest, which has a side entrance, 

 is made of finer fibers, hair and grasses. 

 In this cozy home are laid from four to 

 six creamy white eggs which are "vari- 

 ously marked with reddish brown and 

 lilac, in a wreath or cluster at the larger 

 end." 



158 



