HABITS OF THE WREN. 91 



By this time they arc getting very tired of it, pretty and snug as it is, 

 and their httle wings are impatient to flutter in a large space. They want to 

 hop and jerk Hke their parents, and show the same hvely disposition, though 

 their plumage is at present rather different. 



At first they run about on the ground, and hop among the bushes, 

 attended by their parents, who do not consider their education quite complete. 

 If any person or animal approaches, the mother wren becomes very much 

 alarmed, and utters a loud "chit! chit!" The little birds hide themselves 

 in any hole or corner that is near, and the whole family disappears as if 

 by magic. 



In spite of all the pains and labour taken by the wren to build her nest, 

 the beautiful little fabric is often unused. So many of these deserted nests 

 have been found, that the matter has been inquired into by the naturalist, and 

 a rather curious fact has come to light. 



It is thought by some persons, that while the mother wren is sitting on 

 her eggs, her partner occupies himself with making a number of nests, one 

 after the other. But he does not line them in the same delicate way, nor does 

 he conceal them with the same dexterity. They are often found by the 

 country people, and go by the familiar name of "cock nests." 



However, one thing is pretty certain, that during the severe weather the 

 wrens and their little ones take refuge in these spare houses, and lie there 

 snug and warm. 



THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 



Perhaps few of the perching birds construct a more beautiful nest than the 

 little golden-crested wren. 



He is a near relative of the common wren in her plain suit of brown, but 

 he wears a much gayer costume. The crest on his head is bright yellow, 

 tipped with orange, and there is a great deal of yellow about his plumage. 

 Altogether, he is rather a showy little fellow. 



He loves the deep woods, especially if he can find a few fir-trees. Here 

 he and his partner like to make the wonderful little dwelling in which they 



