THE CAROLINA WREN. 



261 



tener they leave a trail of sound, at least, behind them. The first nest the 

 writer ever found was exhibited gratuitously by a proud father. The bird 

 signalled the stranger and then hopped along in plain sight, only stopping now 

 and then to be sure that he was being followed, until he came to a sycamore 

 stump. Here he thrust his head into a cranny and buzzed excitedly. The 

 bird-man drew near and noted a single egg, while the Wren capered about 

 with every appearance of delight at the admiring glances cast upon the bird- 

 to-be. 



This particular nest completely filled the cavity it occupied, and even the 



Taken in McConneUville. 



Photo by the Author. 



BE IT EVER so MUSSY THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. 



entrance was "boarded up" until it represented the precise dimensions of the 

 occupant. One of the latest pieces of furnishing consisted of a half-length 

 of sloughed-ofT snake skin, which rolled easily into the center of the nest 

 when disturbed. The nest shown in the accompanying cut is a typical accu- 

 mulation of trash such as the Carolina Wren delights in. The mass to the 

 left, poorly defined in the dim light of the tool-house, represents the "cock's 

 nest," an incomplete structure where the male bird spends his nights. 



Carolina Wrens are \'ery prolific. Not only are seven or eight eggs some- 

 times laid for a sitting, but three broods are raised in a season, and these so 



