A CLEVER WREN. 69 



the hole, and there they fastened it, so that it blocked 

 the entrance. When the swallows returned, they 

 could not squeeze past it. They tried to pull it out, 

 but it had evidently been secured inside. The little 

 wrens could push past easily ; and having now the 

 field to themselves, raised their brood in peace. 



All day long the wren mother goes backwards and 

 forwards bringing flies and insects or whatever food 

 she can find. A lover of birds once watched this 

 bird, and saw her go 278 times in a day. 



A number of wrens' nests are unused. One 

 wonders whether they are built to take refuge in 

 durino[ severe weather. 



AUDUBON AND THE HOUSE WREN. 



A Wren lived just outside Audubon's window, and 

 amused him with his bright song. " Having procured 

 some flies and spiders," says Audubon, " I now and 

 then threw some of them towards him, when he would 

 seize them with great alacrity, eat some himself, and 

 carry the rest to his mate. In this manner he became 

 daily more acquainted with us, entered the room, and 

 once or twice sang while there. One morning, sud- 

 denly closing the window, I easily caught him and 

 held him in my hand, and finished his likeness, after 

 which I restored him to liberty." 



