WREN, Troglodytes, a genus of birds of the creeper family certhiadce, having a slender, slightly curved, and pointed bill, the edge of the mandibles entire; the wings very short and rounded; the tail short, and carried erect; the legs slender, and rather long. Their plumage is generally dull. They are natives chiefly of the northern hemisphere, and most of them are American. They live on or near the ground, seeking for insects and worms among low bushes, and in other similar situations. The COMMON or EUROPEAN WREN (7'. rulgaris) is found in all parts of Europe, and in the n. of Asia. It is more abundant in the northern than in the central and southern parts of Europe, and is found even in the Arctic regions. It is a very small bird, only about 4 in. long, reddish. brown above, with narrow transverse streaks of dark brown, yellowish-white below, the greater wing-coverts with three or four small bead-like spots of white. From its peculiarity of form, and its active, lively habits, it is one of the most familiarly known of British birds. It frequents gardens, and thickets. Its flight is not long sus tained; 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 male has a loud sweet song. The nest is large for 'the size of the bird, oval, domed above, with an opening on the side, and is composed of hay or moss, lined with feathers, and generally of materials such that it resembles in color the objects beside it, and is not easily discovered. It is often placed under the thatch of a building, under the turf of a turf-topped wall, against the side of a moss-covered tree, or under an impending bank, always so as to be sheltered from rain. The eggs are usually from 7 to 10 in number, and the male is assiduous in his attentions to the female in supplying her with food during incubation, and afterward assists her in the care of the young. Twobroods are produced in the season. In severe winter weather, a number of wrens often take shelter together in an old nest or in a hole of a wall; sometimes they roost in byres, to enjoy the warmth proceeding from the cattle. When driven from bushes, the wren is easily run down; and the hunting of wrens on St. Stephen's day is an old custom in the a. of Ireland. In general, however, the wren is almost as much a popu lar favorite in Britain as the redbreast. The name Kitty Wren is popularly given to it
in many parts of the country.—The North American species of wren are numerous; some of them, however, have recently been placed in new genera.—The HOUSE WREN (T. talon) is larger than the European wren, being about 5 in. long. It is reddish brown above, barred with dusky, and pale fulvous white below, with a light brownish tinge across the breast. It is abundant in the eastern parts of the United btates. 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; and 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 blue-bird and swallows, and taking possession of the boxes which they have appropriated for their nests. It even attacks cats when they approach its nest —The WINTER WREN (T. hyenzalis), is so similar to the European wren, that it is not easy to state a specific difference. It is common throughout North America, from Labrador to Louisiana, and partially migratory. Several other species are common in North America, as the CAROLINA WREN (Troglodytes or thryophorus ludovicanus) and MAnsrt WREN (Troglodytes or eistophorus palustrie), both of which are found chiefly in the vicinity of water. All of them agree very nearly in their habits with the com mon wren.
WRErHAII, a municipal and parliamentary borough in Denbighshire, and one of the most important towns in North Wales, 11 in. s.s.w. of Chester, on an affluent of the Dee. The town is handsome and lively, and the church, a handsome edifice in perpen dicular, was built about the year 1470, though its tower, 135 ft. in height, was not com pleted till 1500. This church contains a monument and two medallions by Roubi]liac. In the vicinity are several collieries, which, together with lead-mines, fron-works, paper mills, and breweries, give employinent to the inhabitants. It is also of very considera ble importance on account of its markets and fairs, one of which, in March, lasts for 14 days, and is attended by traders of all descriptions,- and from great distances. Wrex ham unites with Denbigh, Holt, and Ruthin in sending a member to parliament. It is. st station on the Chester and Shrewsbury railway. Pop. '61, 7,562; '71, 8,576.