Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 20.djvu/781

* WRECKFISH. 665 WREN. species arc known — one in the South Pacific, and tile other (I'aJit prion rrrniiim), the 'stone-bass' of English iind 'eeniifr' of Freneh fishermen. The hitter readies a veif,'ht of SO pounds, anil its flesh is excellent. Consult Yarrell, British Fishes (London, 1802). WREDE, vrfi'df. Karl Piulipp, Prince (1707- IS.'iS). A Bavarian field-marshal, born at Heidelberi;. Jle studied at the university in his native city. In 17'J9 he led a body of Bavarian volunteers to join the Archduke Charles of Austria in the struggle against the French, and for his conduct in that campaign he was made a major-general. After the peace of 1801 he devoted time and labor to the organization of tlie Bavarian army. He held important com- mands in tile P'rench campaigns against the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians till 1813, when Bavaria joined the Allies. He was de- feated by Napoleon at Hanau. Soon after he was chosen to command the Fifth Corps of Schwarzenberg's army, and fought in the battles of La Rothifere, Bar-sur-Aube, and Arcis-sur- Aube in the campaign of 1814. His services were rewarded by the dignities of field-marshal and prince, and by the gift of the domain of Ellin- gen. He was subsequently employed on many important diplomatic missions. WREN (AS. icrenna, wrcenna, wren; perhaps connected with AS. icnene, wanton). A sub- family of birds (Troglodytinie) of the family Troglodj-tidse, the other members of which are the mocking-birds and thrashers (qq.v. ). The wrens have a slender, slightly curved, and pointed bill, the edge of the mandibles entire: the wings very short and rounded ; the tail short and often carried erect; the legs slender and rather long. Their plumage is generally dull. There are about 150 species, natives chiefly of the Northern Hemisphere, and most of them are American. They live on or near the ground, seek- ing for insects and worms among low bushes, and in otlier similar situations. Perhaps the best known species, and a good example of the group, is the European wren (Trof/lodi/tcs rul- H'lris). It is only about four inches long, red- dish brown above, with narrow transverse streaks of dark brown, yellowish white below, the greater wing-coverts with three or i'our small bead-like spots of white. It frequents gardens, hedges, and thickets, flitting from bush to bush, or from one stone to another. The male lias 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 is often placed under the thatch of a building, against the side of a moss-covered tree, or elsewhere so as to be sheltered from rain. No other true wren is found in Europe, but the United States has a dozen or more species, several of which agree very closely in color and habits Avith the European type. Such a one is the f.amiliar house-wren (Trorjlodi/tes (wdon) . 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: and to effect this, a large mass of heterogeneous materials is sometimes collected. The song of the house-wren is simple but sweet. The male is a very bold, pugnacious bird. In the southern half of the United States another very similar species, Bewick's wren {Tror/lodytes lieu-ickii), is prevalent. It has a much longer tail than the house-wren, but behaves in the same way, and its nest and eggs (see Plate of EciCS of SoNG-BiHD.s) are of the typical pattern. The winter wren (Troglodytes hicmalis) is similar to the Euro])ean wren. It is common throughout North America, but is migratory, breeding in Canada and wintering in the Southern States. It is noted for the surprising loudness as well as the musical quality of its spring song. The other wrens of the United States belong to several different genera. .-Vmong the best known is the Carolina wren {Thri/ofhoriis Liido- riciaiiiis), a rather southerh" species breeding as far north as Connecticut and wintering from Maryland southward. It is a largi^ species, oVi inches long, with considerable white in the plumage. This bird is one of the most varied and cheerful vocalists in America ; it sings a sweet and gleeful medley of notes, some of which seem culled from other bird-songs, so that this fine species is popularly called the 'mocking' wren, (See Plate of Vren.s, W.RBr,ERs, etc.) Oilier wrens, except marsh-wrens (q.v.). are main- ly denizens of the West and Southwest. The cactus-wrens of the genus Heleodytes (large brownish birds frequenting the arid, cactus- growing plains of the Mexican border), and the canon-wrens of the genus Catherpes. inhabiting the rocky defiles of the southern Rocky Moun- tain region and noted for their brilliant singing, are conspicuous Western species ; also the rock- wren (q.v.). Consult British and North American authori- ties, cited under Bird, especially Cones, Birds of the Colorado Valley (Washington, 1878). WREN, Sir Christopheb (1632-1723). One of the greatest of English architects, born at Knowle. Wiltshire. He was a graduate of Wad- ham College, Oxford, Fellow of All Souls'' in 1653, and Savilian professor of astronomy in 1660. He was one of the founders of the Royal Society and its ]iresi(lent in 1081. As a scientist and mathematician of wide reputation he was in 1663 appointed one of the commissioners for the re- pair of old Saint Paul's Cathedral (q.v.), Lon- don. There were at this time few trained architects in England, and Wren, finding himself gradually drawn, by frequent consultations on building matters, into a profession which he had not originally intended to follow, devoted him- self to its study with increasing enthusiasm. In 1605 he began the Sheldonian Theatre at Oxford and the Library of Trinity College. Cambridge. The great fire of London in 1006 gave the real opportunity for the manifestation of his genius ; from that time on for forty years there was hardly an important building in or near London planned without his aid. Winchester Palace, extensive addition to Hampton Court. Chelsea Hospital, Marlborough and Buckingham Houses, the old Royal Exchange, C4reenwich Hospital (in part ), and a series of fifty-three parish churches in London, are among the works. He em- ployed a large force of assistants and deputies to carry out his plans, but impressed the stamp of his individual style on everj-thing that was committed to his charge. For his great master- piece, see Saint Paul's C.TnEDRAL. Working in an age when his art had wofully declined in Entrland, he succeeded in raising the