144. CAROLINA WREN. 
AA a waAS TA NAS io fa 
When the air is filled with the strong fragrance of flowering banana shrubs (Magnolia 
fuscata), and the great magnolias and innumerable tea roses, the Mockingbirds’ enchant- 
ing song sounds from far and near, lending poetry to these charming gardens and land- 
scapes. But the most poetic bird of this region seems to be the CaROLINA or MOCKING 
WREN, whose sweet, silvery, ringing notes sound from almost every thicket in garden 
and woodland from the coast region to the mountains. Mr. William Brewster found it 
in the mountains of North Carolina up to an altitude of 4000 feet. But it is not. 
confined to the Carolinas and other South Atlantic States. I found it a common bird 
in southern Louisiana and in Texas. North, it ranges to the Indian Territory and 
Arkansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, being, however, in its northernmost 
habitat, a rare bird. It prefers to settle in bushy places, particularly on the edges of 
woods bordered by shrubbery,.in the tangled undergrowth near water courses, in 
palmetto-thickets, in the groups of yuccas (Yucca gloriosa) which grow in such luxuri- 
ance near the coast, and in gardens planted with climbing roses, ornamental shrubs 
and vines. Although not a shy bird, it is very cautious, not trusting man too much. 
Where it feels itself safe, it is very pert and sings its ringing song often in close 
proximity to a human dwelling. Its favorite nesting-places are thickets of different 
shrubs, such as calycanthus, white fringé, dogwood and viburnum, hollies, and others, 
overgrown with cocculus, smilax, or Carolina jasmine. Higher up in the foothills and 
mountains, it seems to prefer the tangled growth of rhododendrons and mountain 
laurels. In this underwood is moves about with wonderful adroitness.. At one moment 
it may be seen perching in a high bush merrily caroling. If approached it suddenly 
dives into the shrubbery and disappears. The next moment, however, its song is heard 
from another point. The birds usually hop about rapidly with upraised tails, which 
they often jerk in an energetic manner. They do not like to be watched, and it is 
often very difficult to find them. They are in sight one moment and disappear the 
next, passing in at one place and out at another with exceeding rapidity. Upon the 
approach of man they suddenly hide themselves in the thick undergrowth, cautiously 
peering out from among the leaves. It is only when they feel themselves perfectly safe, 
that their habits and manners can be fully noticed. In bushy localities, they are very 
common, but will not venture into open view, preferring to live in the tangled vegeta- 
tion on or near the ground. When the male is singing, it sits on the top of a bush 
or post’ in full view, instantly, however, plunging down into the thicket upon the 
slightest movement indicative of danger. When disturbed, it utters a smacking, queru- 
lous cry, which is heard as long as the supposed enemy remains near. 
The food of this Wren, as of all others of the family, consists almost entirely of a 
great variety of insects, which it usually captures on the ground and in the bushes, 
from leaves and blossoms. Small caterpillars, worms, borers, insects’ eggs and larve 
lurking in the crevices of the bark, seem to form its principal diet. 
The Carolina Wren is a hole-breeder, always preferring for its nesting-site natural 
cavities, Woodpeckers’ holes, and nesting boxes. In the backwoods of Lee County, 
Texas, where I once took up my abode for several years, it usually built its nest in 
boxes which I had put up for it in the trees near my dwelling. Although not so 
confiding or so common as ‘the Bewick’s Wren, or the Tufted and Black-crested Titmice, 
