3 
three kingdoms, being everywhere common from the Outer Hebrides and Orkney to the extreme 
south of England, as also in every part of Ireland. Mr. R. Gray (B. of W. of Scotl. p. 194) 
writes that “in Scotland it is found inhabiting the most densely wooded glens of the mainland 
and the barest rocks of the distant islands, alike at home in both haunts, and flitting about with 
amusing briskness, even in the severest weather. I have heard it singing in places where there 
were but few elements to attract birds of its size, and none certainly to provoke their musical 
powers. It is common on Ailsa Craig, breeding near the base of the rock among the tufts of 
coarse vegetation growing near the edge of the rude pathway for some distance round the 
island. On all the Outer Hebrides it is likewise at home, frequenting heath-clad rocks and the 
rugged banks of lakes, which it enlivens by its merry movements and clear trilling notes. The 
nest in such localities is found in the abrupt face of a broken bank, or on the naked edge of 
some deep pool, where it is seldom distinguished for neatness, harmonizing as it does with the 
dark-coloured heath or peat moss. Frequently, too, it makes cloice of a turf dyke, living in the 
society of chattering Starlings, which are very abundant, and by no means amiable neighbours.” 
In the Feroes and Iceland the present species is replaced by its close ally, Troglodytes 
borealis; but in Scandinavia the Common Wren is the only species found, and is tolerably 
numerous from the southern portions of the country up to about 64° or 65° N. lat. in Norway— 
and in Sweden, according to Nilsson, up into Swedish Lapland. Speaking of its range in 
Norway, Mr. Collett writes (Orn. of N. Norway, p. 12) that he “met with it in July 1871 at 
Bindalen, in the south of Helgeland, which appears to be the usual northern limit of its distri- 
bution. An individual was taken at Alstahoug (66° N. lat). in November 1842.” 
In Finland I have met with it commonly in various parts of the country; and it is said to 
remain there until quite late in the season. Mr. von Nordmann (J. f. O. 1864, p. 365) writes 
that he has known it to remain near Helsingfors until December, when the ground was covered 
with deep snow; and he thinks it possible that some individuals may remain over the winter, 
even in that cold country. In Northern Russia it is said by my collector there to occur near 
Archangel during the summer; and Mr. Meves met with it in the large woods near Ladeinopole 
and other places. Mr. Sabanieff informs me that it is ‘common enough in the Jaroslaf and 
Moscow Governments, where it occasionally winters; it occurs, though rarely, in the Kaslinsky 
Ural, but becomes commoner on the western slope.” Mr. V. Jacovleff (Bull. Soc. Imp. Mose. 
1872, p. 338) writes that it is a resident at Astrachan, but seldom breeds there, its nest having 
been found only on the Zajashiem Island. It is more numerous in the autumn and winter than 
the summer season. It has only once been met with (in March) near Sarepta; and neither 
Eversmann nor Bogdanoff observed it on the Volga.” 
Throughout the Baltic provinces, North Germany, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France, 
and, indeed, Europe generally, it is recorded as common. 
Count Casimir Wodzicki found it in the Carpathians at an altitude of 3000 feet above the 
sea-level, and states (J. f. O. 1853, p. 437) that it seldom, even during severe winters, descends 
to the plains. On the island of Borkum, curiously enough, it is said by Baron yon Droste 
Hiilshoff (Vég. Bork. p. 91) to be common during the winter, arriving in October, and on the 
other hand, but very rarely seen during the summer. The same is stated by Mr. H. Schilling 
(J. f. O. 1853, p. 372) to be the case on Riigen; and it would therefore appear that, in some 
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