156 
SYLVIAD.E. 
they are circular at the larger end, pointed at the smaller. 
In colour they are reddish-white, but fade to pure white 
when preserved: minute, dark crimson spots are sprinkled 
over the surface, and are rather more numerous at the larger 
end : the shell is very thin and polished. 
The entire length of the Wren is scarcely four inches : 
the wing measures from the carpus to the tip one inch nine 
lines : the tail one inch two lines, and extends about half 
an inch beyond the tips of the wings. The beak, from the 
forehead to the point, is four and a half lines ; the tarsi 
measure seven lines, and the middle toe and claw the same : 
the hinder toe and claw, which are strong and thick, measure 
together half an inch. The wing is much rounded ; the 
first quill-feather measures eight lines, the second one inch 
two lines, the third one inch four lines, the fourth, fifth, 
sixth, and seventh are nearly the same length, and the longest 
in the wing. The tail-feathers are even in length, except 
the outer ones, wdiich are two lines shorter than the rest: 
the upper and under coverts hide more than half the tail. 
The wdiole upper plumage of this little bird is reddish- 
brown, marked on the back and scapulars with transverse 
dusky bars. The coverts of the wings and tertials, and the 
tail, are rather more rufous in colour, and similarly barred : 
the quill-feathers of the wings are dusky, barred on the outer 
web with reddish-white, which gives a tesselated appearance. 
The under parts are pale reddish-brown, lightest on the chin 
and throat, and darkest on the flanks and under-coverts of 
the tail, which are barred with dusky-brown. The legs and 
feet are light brown. The beak is rather long and slender, 
and rounded at the tip ; it has no perceptible notch in the 
margin. The upper mandible is dark browm in colour ; the 
under one dark only at the tip, and pale brown at the base. 
To show how small in bodily substance this little bird is, 
w'e mention the following fact. We once captured a Wren, 
