Nests in Buildings, Bridges, Walls, Etc. 



in number from 4 to 6, and sometimes 7, are white or pinkish, 

 with numerous reddish brown and purplish spots and specks 

 more thickly distributed about the larger end. Size — .64 x .50. 

 See Fig. 17, Plate B. 



Bewick's Wren may be distinguished from the house wren 

 principally by its longer tail; the habits are very similar. 



721. House Wren: Troglodytes aedon Vieili. 



Adult — Upper parts grayish hazel brown, more or less barred; 



under parts light gray, faintly barred with brownish on the 



flanks. Length — 5.00. 

 Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest is composed of almost any material, twigs, hay, 

 and feathers being most often used, the lining being of soft feathers ; 

 any sort of place is selected for a building site, such as a hole in 

 a tree, crevices or niches in walls or houses, behind shutters, on 

 rafters, etc. 



The eggs are usually so thickly covered with reddish or 

 pinkish brown or chocolate markings that the white or whitish 

 ground colour is partly or entirely hidden; the number varies 

 from 4 to 7, sometimes 9. Size — .60 x .48. See Fig. 18, 

 Plate C. 



The nesting season begins about the middle of May, and the 

 places selected may well cause surprise, nests having been found 

 in the skulls of cattle lying in open fields, but I think buildings 

 are most often chosen. 1 have known of a case where a nest 

 was built in an inhabited room. The name of House Wren fits 

 these birds to perfection, especially during the breeding season, 

 when they may be seen almost invariably within a short distance 

 of a building. 



722. Winter Wren : Troglodytes hiemalis Vieili. 



Adult — Upper parts reddish brown, more or less barred and 

 slightly spotted; under parts brownish gray, barred, par- 

 ticularly on the sides; tail and bill short. Length — 4.06. 



Breeding Range — From the Northern States northward, and in 

 the mountainous regions, southward to North Carolina. 



The nest, which is placed in hollow stumps among the roots 



94 



