Birds of Britain 



domed structure, very cleverly concealed among the ivy on a 

 wall or tree, or sometimes in a grassy bank or the side of 

 a stack. It is composed of leaves, moss, bents, etc., so 

 arranged and chosen as to harmonise well with its sur- 

 roundings. The entrance is a narrow round hole, and the 

 interior is warmly lined with hair and feathers. 



Nest-building seems to be an occupation in which these 

 birds delight, and several nests are generally built by each 

 pair ; one only, however, is lined, the others being left quite 

 rough inside. These so-called " cocks' nests " are used, how- 

 ever, as roosting-places, and if the eggs be destroyed they 

 may be lined and used as their home for a second clutch. 

 The eggs, six to eight in number, are white, sparsely spotted 

 with red. In this country the wren is a resident and seldom 

 wanders far from its home, a habit which has resulted in the 

 birds inhabiting some of our outer islands, like St. Kilda, 

 becoming recognisable as distinct from the mainland form. 

 In winter, however, our native stock receives considerable 

 additions from the Continent, but a return migration in 

 spring has not been noticed. 



The whole bird is of a uniform reddish brown, rather 

 lighter on the chin and throat, minutely barred with black. 

 There is a dull white streak over each eye. Length 3 - 5 in. ; 

 wing 1*9 in. 



The female is rather smaller and duller, and the young 

 are less distinctly barred. 



84 



