44 BIRDS 



lining and the down from last season's burst cat-tails. 

 When a nest is finished, its entrance is often cleverly con- 

 cealed. If there are several feet of water below the high 

 and dry cradle, so much the better, think the wrens — 

 fewer enemies can get at them; but they do sometimes 

 build in meadows that are merely damp. 



In such meadows the short-billed marsh wren, a slightly 

 smaller sprite, similar in appearance and in habits, pre- 

 fers to live. 



The House Wren 



Length — 4.5 to 5 inches. Actually about one-fourth 

 smaller than the English sparrow; apparently only half as 

 large because of its erect tail. 



Male and Female — Upper parts cinnamon-brown; deepest 

 on head and neck; lightest above tail, which is more 

 rusty. Back has obscure, dusky bars; wings and tail 

 finely barred. Underneath whitish, with grayish- 

 brown wash and faint bands most prominent on sides. 



Range — ^North America, from Manitoba to the Gulf. Most 

 common in the United States, from the Mississippi east- 

 ward. Winters south of the Carolinas. 



Migrations — ^April. October. Common summer resi- 

 dent. 



Early some morning in April there will go off under your 

 window that most delightful of all alarm-clocks — the tiny, 

 friendly house wren, just returned from a long visit south. 

 Like some little mountain spring that, having been im- 

 prisoned by winter ice, now bubbles up in the spring sun- 

 shine, and goes rippling along over the pebbles, tumbling 



