THE PERCHING BIRDS. 155 



8. The Wrex. 



The Wren is commonly distributed over these islands. 

 The name of this little bird is, in most European languages, 

 significant of royalty, and tradition has linked its name 

 with that equally quarrelsome bird the robin, like which it 

 utters its somewhat monotonous note throughout the year. 

 Though more thickset, it is of about the same size as the 

 goldcrest, from which it is at once distinguished by the 

 white line over the eye and the absence of crest. It also 

 carries its square tail erect, while that of the other bird usu- 

 ally droops. The food of the wren consists of insects when 

 available, of autumn fruits and seeds in winter. The nest, 

 built in April, is a bulky domed structure of moss and dead 

 leaves lined with feathers. Few birds desert 

 their nest more readily, though some of the 

 tales of wrens doing this whenever the nest is 

 touched recjuire confirmation. In consequence, a number 

 of finished nests, some without the final lining of feathers, 

 are found throughout the summer, for which various rea- 

 sons have been offered, among others that they serve as 

 domiciles for the male birds. These are, however, mere 

 suppositions. Similar spare nests, it may be noted, are 

 recorded of the squirrel and swan. In the ordinary course 

 the wren shows some aptitude for suiting the colour and 

 material of its home to its surroundings ; but I found 

 (1886) in Baldwyn's Park, Dartford Heath, a number of 

 exceptions to this in the shape of nests of dead yellow 

 fern reposing in low green bushes. E[igSj 5 to 9, f inch ; 

 glossy white, with red spots at the larger end. A second 

 brood is reared. 



St Kilda A species, sub-species, or race, found only 

 Wren. on the island of that name. It is slightly 

 larger than the common type. 



