18 TH EA OU DsUcB*O°N 2 BU Gia 
The Carolina Wren (Thyrothorus ludovicianus} 
By Anna C. Ames 
The Carolina Wren has long been regarded as a bird of the South. It is 
one of the commonest resident birds of Florida wrens. Burleigh says that 
it is the wren of Georgia. It is one of the few species that can be found 
throughout the year in every county in the state of Georgia. 
This wren breeds from southern Iowa and southern New England to 
the Gulf States and northeastern Mexico, and is resident throughout its 
range. Since the early part of the present century it has been extending 
its range northward. It has reached southern Minnesota in limited numbers. 
The bird has adjusted to the winters of southern New York. It is casual 
in Ontario, Wisconsin, and Maine. Rare in the Chicago area, it is yet listed 
as having nested there. It ranges to at least 7,000 feet above sea level. 
The Carolina Wren, 5.1 to 6 inches long, the largest and reddest of 
the Eastern North American wrens, is the state bird of South Carolina. 
It is rufous red or reddish-brown above and buffy below, with a con- 
spicuous white stripe over the eye. The wings, tail, lower back and sides 
are barred with darker brown. Two white wing bars are almost too narrow 
to be noticeable. Adults have a complete post-nuptial moult in August and 
September, but otherwise wear the same suit all year. The sexes are alike 
in all plumages. 
This wren manifests the characteristics common to all wrens, that is, 
activity (nervousness, excitability, curiosity, volubility. Some of these 
traits it has to excess, but it is shy in a way. The wren doesn’t care to 
be approached, but will make its own advances, always ready to vanish 
quickly at real or fancied need. It likes to roost under cover at night, 
and when away from its nest will use anything available, as a pocket in 
a shirt. hanging on a clothes-line, or an old garment left on a porch. 
It seldom makes, or has occasion to make, extended flight. The bird’s 
abundant energy is expressed not only in its voice, but in its tail, which 
is used freely for gesticulation. 
The Carolina Wren, normally nesting in hollow trees or other natural 
cavities, has often acquired enough confidence in human beings to nest 
in outbuildings or hedges near houses. The nest is often placed in brush 
heaps, holes in logs, crannies in rocks, low bushes, or in all sorts of seem- 
ingly inconvenient places. The nest is a large, rough, bulky structure of 
coarse grass, corn leaves, and hay lined with hair, feathers, and fine 
grasses. The bird is satisfied with almost any soft and plable material. 
The nest is usually at a low elevation, seldom as much as ten feet above 
ground, even in trees. Nests in open situations are ordinarily arched over, 
with a side entrance. 
The male is apparently largely responsible for nest construction. Male 
wrens have such a strong urge to build that each usually constructs 
several nests in his territory, sometimes as many as half a dozen. This 
activity is regarded as part of the courtship and nuptial display. The 
female selects a nest for the incubation, often one better built and better 
concealed than the others. This she lines and finishes for occupancy. The 
cock often sleeps in one of the other nests. 
The four to six eggs of the Carolina Wren are usually pure white, 
but often pinkish, white or creamy white. They are mostly ovate, some- 
times rounded, sometimes a bit elongated. Usually heavily dotted, some 
are faintly and sparingly marked with fine dots. Incubation lasts from 
