THE HOUSE WREN. 265 



The advance of this sturdy species has progressed at least as far as Co- 

 himbus, and there is every reason to suppose that it will ere long possess the 

 state. In North Columbus, where the author has observed them for three 

 years past, the following song-forms have been noted : Sweee-tcrrr, willy, 

 luilly, iinlly; Szveeter-wee-lie, dong-kerwillits; Swee-terr-link-i-tinki-tinkits; 

 Szvee-ivee, chow, chec-ivcely. The rendition of any of the above forms occu- 

 pies about two and a half seconds, and the clear ringing notes are quite unlike 

 any other bird song. 



No. 115. 



HOUSE WREN. 



A. O. U. No. 721. Troglodytes aedon Vieill. 



Description. — Adult : Above, grayish rufous-brown, duller and lighter on 

 fore parts ; brighter and more rufous on rump, which has concealed downy white 

 spots ; back indistinctly barred with dusky ; wings on exposed webs and tail all over 

 distinctly and finely dusky-barred ; sides of head speckled grayish brown, without 

 definite pattern ; below, light grayish brown, indistinctly speckled or banded with 

 darker brownish on fore parts ; heavily speckled and banded with dusky and whit- 

 ish on flanks and crissum ; bill black above, lighter below ; culmen slightly 

 curved; feet brownish. Length 4.50-5.25 (114.3-133.3) ; wing 2.08 (52.8) ; tail 

 1.67 (42.4) ; bill .47 (1 1.9). 



Recognition Marks. — Warbler size ; brown above, lighter below ; everywhere 

 more or less speckled and banded with dusky, brownish, or white. 



Nest, of sticks and trash, lined with fine grasses or chicken-feathers, placed 

 in bird-boxes, holes in orchard trees, crannies of out-buildings, etc. Eggs, 4-8, 

 white, heavily speckled, and usually more or less tinged with pinkish brown or 

 vinaceous, with a wreath of a heavier shade about the larger end. Average size, 

 .64 X .51 (16.3 X 13.). 



General Range. — Eastern United States and southern Ontario, west to 

 Indiana and Louisiana. Resident from the middle districts southward. 



Range in Ohio. — Common throughout the state in towns and villages, and 

 about farm-houses. It is being replaced in some localities of southern and central 

 Ohio by the preceding species. 



MANY years ago this cunning little bird gave up its woodland retreats 

 and adopted the white man. The unconscious lure which led to this result 

 was doubtless the abundance of toothsome worms, which had already adopted 

 man's apples and currants and cabbages. Since that time the discerning have 

 always put out boxes and gourds or cans to encourage the residence of this 

 sprightly and valuable friend. The mutual benefit association thus formed 

 worked admirably, until the advent of the English Sparrow, but since that 



