BROWN CREEPER— WREN 187 



responds to the European form, being black, white 

 and buff above, and white below. It breeds in the 

 North and in winter migrates southward to the Gulf 

 States. Owing to its small size, sober colours and the 

 skill with which it contrives always to keep the trunk 

 of a tree between itself and humxan observers, this bird 

 is seldom seen. Its faint little twitter, uttered as it 

 climbs about, is very pleasing. 



The beautifiil little Wall-creeper is found only in 

 Asia and certain parts of Europe. It is of a soft grey- 

 ish colour, with white spots on the outer tail-feathers 

 and crimson wing-coverts. The appearance of this 

 bird has been noted two or three times in the British 

 Islands. See Plate 21, Fig. 126. 



Wrens 



The Wren family includes a great number of very 

 small birds, spread over the greater part of the world, 

 being especially abundant in the New World. They 

 are not found, however, in Africa and the Australian 

 region. They are insect-feeders and therefore migra- 

 tory in their habits. Wrens are active, nervous birds, 

 with musical voices. 



The common American House Wren is found 

 nearly everywhere in North America. The colouring 

 is brownish above, indistinctly barred with darker col- 

 our, and greyish below. Like all the other members 

 of this family, it builds domed nests, frequently in 

 outhouses and other places in proximity to human 

 beings. The wings are short and rounded and the 

 short tail is usually carried in a vertical position. 



