The Common Wren. 



303 



sions, with an aperture at the side for ingress and egress. 

 The outside is chiefly made of moss, and is strengthened by 

 small dried twigs and root fibres ; occasionally dried grass and 

 short pieces of straw or hay are used. The inside is com- 

 fortably lined with hair, wool, and feathers. The hen lays 

 from seven to sixteen eggs, which are very diminutive in size, and 

 in colour white, sparsely spotted with red. There are seldom 

 more than eight or nine young ones, however many the eggs 

 may be. The hen incubates from ten to twelve days. The 

 male bird supplies her with food during the process of 

 nidification. 



The young birds, when feathered, are reddish brown, speckled 

 with black and white spots. The parents do not, as a rule, 

 express fear or timidity at their offspring being viewed, but 

 make a fuss if any attempt is made to touch them. These 

 birds never fly far, but hop and climb about bushes and low 

 trees, exhibiting considerable activity, bobbing up their little 

 tails as high as possible, and sometimes drooping their wings. 

 Whilst thus engaged, they continue to repeat rapidly their 

 peculiar cry of " Chit, chit." 



Common Wrens are hardy birds, and appear not to suffer from 

 <jold. Like House Sparrows, they are wonderfully ingenious in 

 finding out snug, cosy places, in which to shelter during turbu- 

 lent weather and cold, bleak nights. Being very small, they 

 require to be kept in closely-wired cages or aviaries. They 

 would probably breed in a state of captivity, if kept in an aviary 

 specially constructed to meet their requirements. 



Methods of Capture. — These birds may be taken in traps 

 baited with mealworms or elder berries, or with limed twigs 

 judiciously placed about farmyards which they are known to 

 frequent. They may also be caught with the Geldart " 

 trap. 



Food and Treatment. — Common Wrens feed on insects all 

 the year round, searching for them carefully in every place 

 where there is the least likelihood of their being found. They 

 hunt after spiders and flies of all sorts, and in the autumn 

 regale themselves on elder berries. In confinement, they must be 

 fed, when newl}'' caught, on mealworms, flies, spiders, &:c., and in 

 a little time they will partake of the Compounds recommended 

 for soft-billed birds {vide pp. 189, 190); but a little insect food 

 occasionally is necessary to keep them in health and condition. 



