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Wren. A genus of birds having a slender, slightly curved, and pointed bill; the wings very short and rounded; the tail short, and carried erect; the legs slender, and rather long. Their plumage is generally dull. They live on or near the ground, seeking for insects and worms among low brushes, and in other similar situations. The common or European wren is found in all parts of Europe, in Morocco and Algeria, in Asia Minor and northern Persia. The common wren is more abundant in the north than in the central and southern parts of Europe. It frequents gardens, hedges, and thickets. Its flight is not long sustained; it merely flits from bush to bush, or from one stone to another, with very rapid motion of the wings. It sometimes ascends trees, nearly in the manner of creepers. The North American species of wren are numerous; but many of them are ranked under different genera. The house wren is larger than the European wren, being about five inches long. It is abundant in the eastern parts of the United States. It is less shy than the European wren, and often builds its nest near houses, and in boxes prepared for it. The nests are made to fill the boxes; to effect this a large mass of heterogeneous materials is sometimes collected. The song of the house wren is very sweet. The male is a very bold, pugnacious bird, readily attacking birds far larger than itself, as the bluebird and swallows, and taking possession of the boxes which they have appropriated for their nests. It even attacks cats when they approach its nest.

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