70 NATURAL HISTORY [Birds. 



His annual visit. Half afraid, he first 



Against the window beats ; then, brisk, alights 



On the warm hearth ; then hopping o'er the floor, 



fyes all the smiling family askance. 



And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is : 



Till more familiar grown, the table crumbs 



Attract his slender feet. 



The robin never migrates from these isles ; is seen through 

 the whole winter about the houses or barns ; builds in the 

 holes of walls or rocks, or sometimes in the warped roots of 

 trees, or such like places, but always very retired. 



It is easily known by its breast, but more to the country 

 people by its constant visits. 



Said to be much addicted to fighting, especially with its 

 own kind, insomuch, that one tree will not bear at one time 

 two redbreasts. 



Species 2. — The Wren. 



Will. Orn. 229. Raii Syn. Av. 80. Motacilla Troglodytes, Lin. Si/s. 537. 



Brit. Zool. 268. 



The least of our birds ; does not migrate; like the last spe- 

 cies comes near the habitations of men in the winter season ; 

 breeds in the holes of walls, making a very large nest of moss, 

 lined with softer materials, with a door for entrance ; lays a 

 great number of eggs ; I have counted sixteen in one nest, 



