BIRDS OF NEW YORK 



483 



and the Purple martin, but I am inclined to think that the House wren 

 is much more able to take care of itself and find a nesting site than any- 

 other of our native species which come in competition with the English 

 sparrow. It is probable that severe weather in the southern states must 

 be the cause which explains the curious disappearance of this species from 

 its haunts. At the present 

 time, the House wren is well 

 established again throughout 

 western New York. 



It is one of our commonest 

 and most familiar birds in most 

 localities, frequently building 

 its nest in crannies about the 

 house and garden, occupying 

 cigar boxes, old boots, watering 

 pots or any hollow objects hung 

 in trees. Its nest is composed 

 of short twigs and grass stalks, 

 almost always more or less orna- 

 mented with spiders' nests and 

 lined with soft materials. The 

 eggs are from 6 to 8 in number, 

 of a pinkish brown or vinaceous 

 hue, almost uniformly covered 

 with minute speckles of a deeper 

 shade but usually with a wreath or cap at the larger end. They average 

 •65 by .52 inches in dimensions. Fresh eggs are found from the i6th to 

 the 30th of May. Later sets are often found from the 25th of June to 

 the 20th of July. 



The song of this Wren is a characteristic, bubbling, gurgling warble 

 which seems to burst spontaneously from his swelling throat, as he sits 

 upon the fence or some old twig, raising his head and lowering the tail, 



House wren at nesting bo 



Photo by L. S. Horton 



