The COMMON WREN (_Troglodytes parvulus_) is about four inches long,
and from five inches and a half to six inches broad; the wing measures
an inch and three-quarters and the tail about an inch and a half. Upon
the upper portion of the body the plumage is reddish brown, streaked
with pale black; the under side is paler, marked with undulating dark
brown lines; a brown cheek-stripe passes across the eyes, and a narrow
brownish white line above them. The centre feathers in the wing-covers
are decorated with oval white patches, touched with black; the quills
are deepish grey on the inner web, and on the outer alternately spotted
or streaked with reddish yellow and black; the tail-feathers are reddish
brown, lightest at the edges, and marked with undulating dark brown
lines; the eye is brown; the beak and feet reddish grey. The female is
paler than her mate, and the young have more spots on the under side, and
fewer on the back, than the old birds. The Wren inhabits all parts of
the continent of Europe, from Northern Scandinavia to the most southern
confines of Spain and Greece; in the Faroë Islands it is replaced by
a very similar but much larger species (_Troglodytes borealis_); and
another but more spotted variety (_Troglodytes Naumanni_) is met with
in some parts of Central Europe. In North-western Africa and Asia Minor
it is also common, but is, we believe, never seen in other parts of
Asia. Such as inhabit India are nearly allied but not identical species.
Like most members of its family, the Common Wren is lively and social,
constantly seeking the immediate vicinity of man. Its song consists
of a great variety of clear piping notes, intermingled with numerous
trills, and is poured out with an energy and power that appear really
astonishing, if we consider the small dimensions of the little singer.
Throughout almost the entire year this cheerful music is to be heard; no
inclemency of weather appears to daunt the brisk but diminutive vocalist,
who carols forth his joyful anticipations of the coming spring, even
when the snow-covered ground renders it impossible for him to procure a
sufficient supply of food, and cold and want have completely silenced all
his feathered companions. Like those of other members of its family, the
movements of this species in the trees and on the ground are extremely
agile and lively, but its flight, even for a Wren, is weak and unsteady.
So slight are its powers of endurance, that Naumann assures us that a
man can readily run it down and capture it with the hand. Indeed, a
curious practice, as we are told, "has prevailed from time immemorial in
the south of Ireland, of hunting this harmless little bird on Christmas
Day. The hedges are beaten with sticks, and when the unfortunate little
creature is driven from its concealment, it is struck down with a second
stick carried by each hunter. On St. Stephen's Day the dead birds are
hung by the children on an ivy-bush decorated with bright ribbons, which
they carry about with songs, and collect money to 'bury the Wren.' This
cruel piece of folly is, we are happy to learn, now falling into disuse."
This pretty little bird lives principally upon insects and berries, and
when these fall short, it often ventures fearlessly into houses and
outbuildings, in the hope of obtaining a meal. The situation of the nest
and the materials employed for building it vary considerably. Trinthammer
mentions an instance in which one of these birds made its nest year
by year in the hut of some charcoal-burners, following them season
after season in all their wanderings; indeed, it is not uncommon for a
pair to build many times, before they have satisfied their fastidious
requirements; and, strange to say, a solitary male will often make
several nests before it has selected a mate. Boenigk, who observed a Wren
attentively from April to August, tells us that the male constructed
four nests before it took a partner. After it had found a mate, both
worked together at three different nests, each in succession being left
uncompleted, until at last the female, despairing of obtaining a place
wherein to deposit her eggs, deserted her capricious spouse, who consoled
himself by constructing two more nests, which, like the rest, were never
employed.
"It is remarkable," says Montague, "how the materials of the Wren's
nest are generally adapted to the place: if built against the side of
a hayrick, it is composed of hay; if against a tree covered with white
moss, it is made of that material; and with green moss if against a
tree covered with the same; thus instinct directs it for security."
Mr. Jesse mentions that he possessed a nest "built amongst some litter
thrown into a yard, which so nearly resembled the surrounding objects
that it was only discovered by the birds flying out of it. Some of the
straws that composed it were so thick that one wondered how so small a
bird could have used them." A correspondent in the _Magazine of Natural
History_ says:--"In watching a pair of Wrens building their nest in an
old road, I noticed that one confined itself entirely to the construction
of the nest, which it never left for a moment, whilst the other was as
incessantly passing and repassing with materials for the structure. These
materials, however, this helper never once attempted to put into their
places; they were always regularly delivered to the principal architect
employed in constructing the building."
"I was not aware," says Mr. Weir, "it had been taken notice of by any
naturalist that the European Wrens, or at least some of this species,
take possession of their nests as places of repose during the severity
of winter, until I perused a very interesting account of the habits of
these little birds by Neville Wood, Esq., who says, 'Whether the nests in
which one or two broods had been reared in the summer are tenanted every
night throughout the winter by the old or the young birds is a question
more curious than easy to determine, on account of the difficulty, almost
impracticability, of catching the birds at night. This I have repeatedly
endeavoured to effect without success. I am happy to say that, after much
trouble, I have so far succeeded in determining this curious question.
About nine o'clock of the evening of the 7th of March, in one of their
nests which was built in a hole in an old wall, I caught the male and
female, and three of the brood. The other four of the young birds which
were also in the nest, made their escape. They were the Wrens I mentioned
formerly as having occupied the two nests which wanted the lining of
feathers.'"
"I know not," says Macgillivray, "a more pleasant object to look at than
the Wren; it is always so smart and cheerful--to it all weathers are
alike. The big drops of a thunder shower no more wet it than the drizzle
of a Scotch mist; and, as it peeps from beneath a bramble, or glances
from a hole in the wall, it seems as snug as a kitten frisking on the
parlour rug."
"It is amusing," continues this writer, "to watch the motions of a young
family of Wrens just come abroad. Walking among furze, or broom, or
juniper, you are attracted to some bush by hearing issue from it a lively
and frequent repetition of a sound which most resembles the syllable
"Chit." On going up you perceive an old Wren flitting about the twigs,
and presently a young one flies off, uttering a stifled 'Chirr,' while
the parents continue to flutter about, uttering their loud 'Chit! chit!
chit!' with indications of varied degrees of excitement."
The Wren produces two broods in the course of the year, the first in
April, the second in July. The eggs, from six to eight in number, are
large and round, of a pure white or yellowish white, delicately spotted
with reddish brown or blood-red, these latter markings often taking the
form of a wreath at the broad end. The male and female brood alternately
for thirteen days, and cleanse the nest and feed their hungry family with
great assiduity. The young remain for a considerable time with their
parents, and generally return to pass the night in their old homes for
some time after they are fully fledged. Although largely insectivorous,
these hardy little birds are enabled to brave the severest winters, not
only of our own climate but of still more northern regions. They are not
uncommon in Zetland, where their sweet notes serve greatly to enliven the
dreary landscape.
* * * * *
The MARSH WRENS (_Thryothorus_) are a group of American species,
distinguished from other members of the family by their comparatively
long, thin, and slightly-curved beaks.