152 HOUSE WREN. 
other insects, entering even stables and outhouses for this purpose. Its movements and 
manners are so attractive, its song is so melodious and heartily trilled that it cannot 
fail to be an object of affection. It always keeps near the ground and flies only short 
distances, its movements being so rapid that one might mistake it for a mouse. It 
is like all other Wrens very inquisitive, all strange objects attract its attention. 
Cautiously it approaches, stretches its neck, raises its head, utters its harsh chat- 
tering notes so characteristic to the family, skips to one side and then to the other, 
hops around the object of its curiosity, and finally approaches it closely ; or, in case 
the object should move, it rapidly darts into the bushes or some other hiding place. 
It is a cunning little bird, well enabled to distinguish between friend and foe. It readily 
distinguishes the people where it has taken up its abode from strangers, and if the 
former are friendly, it shows no timidity. 
In winter I have observed this Wren in great numbers in Texas. One can scarcely 
pass a thicket in the south-eastern part of that state without seeing one or more of 
these now very timid little birds. The more dense and tangled the thickets, the more 
welcome they are as hiding places. Often these thickets are overgrown with a thorny 
species of smilax, or with Cherokee roses, thus presenting formidable barriers against 
the invasion of man or larger animals. I rarely succeeded in driving the Wrens away 
from a certain thicket, for if they skipped out on one side they entered again on another. 
So confident, bold, and noisy is this bird in its breeding habitat, and so timid and quiet 
in its winter quarters, that one might regard it at different times as a different species. 
It is usually seen in pairs or single specimens during winter. It winters in great num- 
bers in Texas and other Gulf States and also in the South Atlantic region. 
As early as the beginning of March it leaves south-eastern Texas. The tardiness 
of its movements may be judged from its late arrival in the North. In northern Illinois 
and central Wisconsin I have never noticed it before the last days in April or the 
“ beginning of May. 
Our Wren does not feel at home until it arrives at its summer quarters. As soon 
as these are reached, it exhibits its old boldness, activity, and confidence. It announces 
its return by jubilant songs, and furiously attacks the House Sparrows which may 
have claimed its old nesting box. Frequently we hear two or more male-Wrens from 
different directions trying to rival each other in song. They produce their notes so 
powerfully and in such a charming way that the attention of even indifferent listeners 
is attracted. Although the song is far less beautiful than that of Bewick’s Wren, 
it is, nevertheless, very sprightly, consisting of a few loud notes, followed by an 
exceedingly melodious trill. From the time of its arrival until the hot days of August, 
it sings, with few interruptions, very diligently. To sing, it mounts some high object, 
usually a pole or fence-post, and carols from that vantage point its mirthful notes with 
extreme vivacity; then it darts down again into the shrubbery. Besides its song, we 
hear frequently its harsh chattering notes, particularly when a cat, a Blue Jay, or some 
other enemy appears in its nesting grounds. 
In the Northern States nest building begins in the latter part of May. Asa 
hole-breeder, it always chooses, for a nesting-site, some cavity. It prefers nesting boxes 
put up for its accommodation on the walls of buildings, on trees and posts. By means 
