i68 British Birds, with their Nests and Eggs. 



like; moreover, if they were, they would probably fail to see any resemblance 

 between the long-tailed, stout-billed, conical-crested Persian, or Red-vented Bulbuls,* 

 and our stumpy little cock-tailed Wren, whilst the cave-like nest of the latter, if 

 it be an argument in favour of the affinity of the Dipper to the Wrens, must also 

 argue against the close relationship of the Bulbuls to the latter birds. 



The most convenient plan, therefore, seems to be that adopted by Mr. Howard 

 Saunders — to regard the Wrens as a Family rather than a Subfamily. 



Family— TROGL OD YTIDyE. 



The Wren. 



Troglodytes parvulus, KoCH. 



OCCURS throughout Europe up to 65° N. lat. in Scandinavia and North 

 Russia, occurring in Morocco and Algeria, also in the Caucasus, Northern 

 Persia, Asia ]Minor, and Northern Palestine. 



In Great Britain it is generallj^ distributed and resident; but, as \\'ith many 

 more resident species, its numbers are greatly added to in the autumn by immi- 

 gration. 



The adult male has the upper surface rich rufous-brown, the crown and nape 

 appearing slightly darker ; thence barred throughout ^nth deeper brown ; the 

 primaries brighter, their outer webs barred with pale-buff; a huffish- white streak 

 over the eye ; under surface pale-brownish, more rufous and darker on the flanks, 

 belly, and under tail-coverts, which are also barred with smokj'-brown ; bill dark- 

 brown above, paler below ; feet pale-brown ; iris dark-brown. The female is slightly 

 smaller, duller in colouring, with paler legs. Young birds are slightly more rufous 

 and less strongly barred. 



From its remarkably confiding habits the Wren has become as well known as 



* The crests of these birds are not ragged, as usually shown in illustrations, but form a regular unbroken 

 line at the back. 



