1869. 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
129 
The Wrens of the United States. 
BY R. D., PHILADELPHIA. 
In the United States tlierc are nine species 
of 'wrens belonging to the genus Troglodytes, 
besides the Megu- 
Itts, of which there iX^,., v 
are two species, 
the Golden Crested, 
and Ruby Crowned 
Wren, or Kinglet, 
The commonest 
and best known of 
our ■wrens is the 
House Wren (Tro- 
glodytes cvdon). Its 
peculiar places of 
building, -with the 
partiality it shows 
to the habitation of 
man, makes it a 
general favorite. It 
builds in boxes or 
bird houses, or any 
convenient crevice, 
and has been 
known to take up 
its habitation in 
such odd places as 
an old hat, or the 
pocket of an old 
coat. There are 
some things stated about this bird which are 
not altogether correct. It is said that two 
pairs of House Wrens will not build near each 
other, but will fight until one or the other is 
driven away. At our home, in Jersey, in the 
year 1867, we had three pairs breeding within 
the space of a hundred yards. Although they 
would not associate with each other, I never 
observed them quarreling. They all sought 
food in different directions. This species meas- 
ures four and a half inches in length. The 
form of the bird is shown in the left hand fig- 
ure of the engraving. The general color is a 
reddish brown, which 
is darker on the head, 
indistinctly barred with 
dark brown. The other 
species are mentioned in 
the order of their size. 
The Rock Wren (T. 
obsolelus) is not much 
known. It was discov- 
ered in the rocky re- 
gions of the West, and 
was first described by 
Thomas Nuttal. It is 
nearly allied to the next, 
which it resembles in 
some of its habits. It 
breeds in the crevices 
of rocks, in which it 
also hides on being 
alarmed. The length 
of this bird issix inches. 
The Great Carolina 
Wren (T. ludovicianus), 
although a common bird 
in the Southern States, -^="-™v^v :j- 
it is not so with us. To 
find it, one must resort 
to its favorite swamps, or rocks, near some 
brook or pond. Here it is easily found b}' any 
one who lias ever heard its song, which, once 
beard, can never be forgotten. After satisfying 
itself with food, which consists chiefly of spf- 
ders, and such other insects as abound in 
swampy places, it mounts to the top of some 
shrub, and there, with drooping wings and tail, 
it pours forth its loud and pleasing song. If 
disturbed, it drops from its perch, and disap- 
pears with the celerity of a mouse, running 
THE HOUSE WREN 
BEWICK 
into holes and between the roots of trees, so 
that it is very difficult to find by hunting; but 
if the observer remains still it will come from 
its hiding-place, mount the nearest bush, and 
sing, if possible, with more energy than before. 
Early in the spring of 1867, while the snow 
was still on the ground, I had the good fortune 
to obtain a specimen of this bird in a swamp, 
near West Philadelphia. Before shooting it, I 
closely observed its habits. It was running 
along the edge of a creek, picking up different 
things that had been washed down. On seeing 
me, it instantly disappeared in a thicket, wher« 
s WREN. 
TnE basking shark. — (Sec next page.) 
it could have easily escaped, had it not been 
for its song, which betrayed it. A friend, Mr. 
Tull, who was with me, procured another one, 
which proved to be the female. These birds 
had evidently been living in the swamp all wirr- 
ter. The Carolina Wren builds under the edges 
of rocks, as well as under the trunks of fallen 
trees. The eggs are dull white, sprinkled with 
a reddish color, and are five or six in number. 
Length of the bird, five and a half inches. 
Of Bewick's Wren (T. Bewickii), represent- 
ed at the right hand 
of the engraving, 
which is taken 
from Audubon, I 
can say but little, 
as I have never 
seen any living 
specimens. It is 
found sparingly in 
the mountainous 
parts of Pennsyl- 
vania and Virginia, 
and is more plenti- 
ful farther south. 
Skins of this bird 
measure about live 
and one-third inch- 
es in length. 
The Wood Wren 
(T. Amorioamts), 
was discovered by 
Mr. Audubon. Al- 
though it cannot 
be called rare, yet 
on account of its 
retired habits, it is 
not often seen, and 
consequently but very little is known about 
it. It is said to breed in decayed logs, con- 
structing its nest of moss. It lives altogether 
in the woods and thickets, until compelled to 
leave by cold and hunger. Length, five inches. 
The Short-billed Marsh Wren (T. brevirosiris), 
resembles the next in many respects, but dif- 
fers from it in inhabiting the fresh instead of the 
salt water marshes. It is rare everywhere. 
With all my searching, I have not been able to 
find the nest of this species, and can give no 
description of it. Its length from tip of bill to 
tip of tail is four and five-twelfths inches. 
The Marsh Wren (T. 
pulustrii). — While clam- 
ming one day in the 
Shrewsbury River, or 
rather waiting for the 
low tide, I was attracted 
by the song of this lit- 
tle bird, from a small 
island covered with long 
grass, not far distant, 
On approaching the 
island to see the bird, 
and try to find its nest, 
I was surprised to see 
not only one, but a 
great many. In fact, the 
whole island was full 
of them. As soon as we 
lauded, they disappear- 
ed, running along the 
ground between the 
grass, chattering and 
scolding at our ap- 
proach. On hunting 
for the nests, I found 
them very plentiful, but 
none of them con- 
tained anything. The second brood had been 
hatched, and those we saw were the young with 
their parents. These birds roost in the nests 
until cold weather drives them south. The 
nest of the Marsh Wren is placed in the top of 
a bunch of grass. It is made round, with a 
