80 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



From the time the young birds leave the nest till the 

 following spring they stay with their parents, and can be 

 depended upon to be found in or about the same place. As a 

 help towards keeping a family in view it is often possible to 

 note a white patch on one of the parent birds, which thus 

 enables that particular family to be watched. 



But if one would view the Wren at home with its children, 

 it is necessary to maintain quietness, for the birds take flight 

 at the slightest alarm. Then is one rewarded by seeing the 

 group, from 6 to 12 birds, travelhng along the ground beneath 

 the undergrowth, feeding and chatting as they go. Should 

 the leading bird take to flight, the others will follow in single 

 file, and faithfully keep together, though perhaps the last of 

 the colony may be a little behindhand. 



The late Mr. ,Tohn Gould found a difficulty in attempting 

 to mimic by words their melodious notes. There is first the 

 grand oratorio of the male in spring, when he is leading a 

 charming competitive life, followed, secondly, by the notes of 

 rolHcking fun of the summer bird ; and, thirdly, the series of 

 thrilling squeaks when the young have ventured on a gambol 

 among the boughs, which would be quite out of place in birds 

 of maturer years. 



During nesting time the female will sometimes utter a call 

 as if a tragedy were taking place. 



Blue Wrens are occasionally known to sing at midnight, and 

 they may frequently be heard about 9.30 p.m., in company 

 with the Black and White Fantail and the Great Brown 

 Kingfisher (Laughing Jackass). 



By July the young birds seem to have acquired the highest 

 attainment in their musical efforts, though young Wrens in 

 captivity do not burst into song so soon as those of the bush. 



These birds have wonderful appetites, a quality that should 

 be particularly useful to market gardeners. 



I have seen them busilv eating the small Plutella moths in 



