LIST AND DESCRIPTION 131 



Missouri River westward. Larger than our well known House 

 Wren and of paler plumage. The general color is grayish mixed 

 with black, very little of the cinnamon brown showing on the 

 rump. It nests in the rocky bluffs of rivers and badlands. 



721a. Western House Wren (Troglodytes aedon parkmani.) 



A small bird about five inches long. Above, brownish 

 gray with narrow black bars. Below, lighter. 



This is the common Wren that comes familiarly about our 

 homes, and is always active and always singing. The Wrens 

 will build a nest in any sort of house that is made for them, 

 and a second home will generally, secure their second brood. 

 They are exceedingly useful in destroying insects. The song 

 of the Wren with its cheery, gurgling melody, is always welcome 

 in the spring. 



722. Winter Wren (Nannus hiemalis hiemtilis.) 



Probably only a summer resident. The smallest of our 

 Wrens. Above, dark brown, irregularly barred with black and 

 white. Below, brown ; sides and belly barred with black. 



724. Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cistothoius stellaris.) 



A common resident in the marshes of the eastern and 

 southern parts of the State. Its nest, which is a hollow ball of 

 grasses entered from the side, is lashed to the rushes. Ere the 

 female arrives from the south the male has built several "cock 

 nests,". hoping that she will choose one of them. The House 

 Wren shows similar habits when he carries a few twigs into sev- 

 eral bird houses. 



Slightly smaller than the House Wren and more or less 

 streaked with white on the back; sides rusty. 



725d. Prairie Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes palustris iliacus.) 



A summer resident wherever sloughs or marshes abound 

 in the State. One inch longer than No. 724. Above, streaked 

 with black, mixed with brown and white. Below, white, washed 

 with rusty. 



