Wrens SONG-BIRDS.
FAMILY TROGLODYTIDIE: WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. Sun-urn“ TROGLODYTINE: Wnnxs. Carolina, Wren: Thryothorus ludovicianus.
Length : 6 inches.
Male and Female: Chestnutbrown above, wings and tail barred with clear brown. Whitish stripe over eye. White chin. Under parts bufiy. Bill straight and dark, same length as head. Feet dusky flesh-coloured. Female smaller.
Sang: A joyful melody, — “ Sweetheart, sweetheart, sweet I ” Also many varied mocking notes.
Season: A rather rare summer visitor north of New Jersey, yet breeding sparingly in New England as far as Massachusetts,
Breeds: Through range, but seldom in the northern portion. Raises two broods.
Nest: Builds a. large nest in tree-holes and bird-boxes as well as in the undergrowth of wild places.
Eggs: 6-7, white, spotted with purple and reddish brown.
Range: Eastern United States (rare toward the northern border), west to the Plains. Bare in southern New England.
The Carolina is the largest of our Wrens and is also the best vocalist, its melodies (for it sings several) having called up many eulogies. In addition to this, it is a great mocker, with an especial fancy for weird and unusual sounds. When in full song it perches on the top of a bush or small tree, raising its head and dropping its tail in Cat- bird fashion.
It is a Winter resident in some of the Middle States, and is said by Dr. Warren to be abundant in southwestern Penn- sylvania. Though much more shy than its smaller kin, it builds like them about outhouses and in various odd nooks, and has the House VVren’s habit of prying and peeping. It collects its food chiefly from the bark of trees, except in autumn when, like many other insectreaters, it feeds upon berries.
Dr. Shoemaker, a Western bird-lover, wrote a. song beginning,—
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