The herald., 1895-01-13

flower stema. These are tightly matted
together into walls an inch thick. The
cavity is filled with feathers, forming q
warm, dry glObnlsr dom;cils six inches
high. with long ontrauceway on one
side.
PROTECTED NEST.
The nest is improbable TO snakes,
weasels, or other marauders which are
won't to destroy eggs and young birds.
1t ia placed in thu forks or between the
large feaves oil the thofny cactus from ,
to feet above the ground. 1t is often
exceedingly conapicuous, and | have
been able to zoe nest quarter OF a
mile away.
Though 90 easily seen, no animal ven.
lures to reach it through the thorny
foliage OF the cactus. Sometimea the
nests are placed in other supports be-
sides cactus In tbs arToyos about
Pasadena where tbs cactus has for the
most part been grubbed out. tho wrens
have had to build in other plants.
have found nests in oaks, aldere, buck
thorn bushes, and in punches OF mistla-
toe high in sycamores. One nest was
placed in the center OF large yucca
plant from which the bayonets bristled
in all directions. Anyone who attempts
to reach the eggs under such circum-
stances will be- seized with a euddsn
conviction that he has mistaken his vo-
cation.
Usually when not PLACED in soma
thorny plant the nests are situated
much higher, so as to make up IN did
lance from the ground for the lack oi
impenetrable thorns.
The cactus wrens often build in col
oues ia convenient places, and | have
found in San Fernando valley as many
as 10 nests in cactus patch 30 feet
square.
The eggs OF this bird are OF beauti-
full salmon color, and are, OF course,
much larger than those OF the Other
wrens.
SHE TULE WREN.
70 find the TUE wren in its natural
habitat, one must wade into the
marshes and reedy lagoons. Wherevel
there 10 thick growth of tules. there
one may he sure OF hearing tie sprightly,
pleasing tNilter OF this wren. 1t haa
much the came appearance and actions
o 8 the hoasewreh but, Of coufse, ca he
epends his life among the vertical a'aiks
OF tho csttails ovar the water, his habits
are somewhat diliereut. Az Nthera are
no natural cavities 10. him 10 nest in,
he hal to build nuitAhls dDmirile.
The nest is very orsttY ractufe. be
ing slEericaI, with small round hole
in enc eide The walls are thin and
composed Of hat rnshes uud marsh grAs
llGed with down.
'rhs neat ia NJ aGh VI e. thras or four
OF tho UPRIGHT eiAsss iiom two 10 i've
feet eb3re tbs wA,er. a. VITA ths Cat
tul wrea, /; is naturally fortified, ~ the
Welding @te,a "n!ch srppats Il wopl.
noi srttNn aay N lsahil1g snake; 0Ad
gaYwAy hey gro IN two or tareH .eB'
u water
OAe pecaiaF habit OF the marsh wren
Is thst .. 0Jiid az tvn % t.,r3a ostr.'
ne,ts, | caunJ. th3nk ui nay raason iol
tlIs. ed AL tEe meets Afu ua'lt 81 40 al
Lha sg4e ttine 10 jus s9ti2E 40 tli.
thev would uu: be- usAi - Ninter hoo e.
"A "A tina Gtse 81 tho Gus wrea. Per
hsp4 part arc u3P j R5 r0VeiaG pl isst.
'th- tao wfo1 iAf4 'tac 81, TIA d ~
o. Jane rAs'4 as. $40 If frna-s %
be color f3r b.rd',r4s-. cen. vets hlfR
cnnc0la'e | ;hilk lha talu Wr.n3 s5t
migratory. thpp%H i1n'l fee @h2 are
hsr,i spn1li l,,V, thi' m'i s,nna,e
p sihiSit Al .hsr tad "a tue re
ceived Sc ny arrA,tnrs Hhr slrayed IRON
east OF tho K cs'eS, or whJ v4i AZ 1
time Y hen CAi.!vtniA Ma colder tina;
now