TOM-TIT, CHAT, AND BLUE WREN 



the Blue Wren at a distance of a few yards, and while they 

 may agree that the male has a certain claim to be called 

 beautiful, they would contend that the female has little or 

 none. We would advise such persons, if any there be, 

 before judging the beauty of either male or female, first to 

 see it properly. That is to say, see the live birds in the 

 wild state at a distance of two feet or less. Then, and 

 then only, will their beauty become apparent. 



In case any should take this little piece of advice 

 seriously, as we certainly intend it, we may add that the 

 Darebin Creek, a couple of miles direct east of the Preston 

 Reservoir Railway Station, is one of their favourite breed- 

 ing grounds, and that nests may be found there in plenty 

 during the period from the beginning of October to the end 

 of December. 



The Wren's nest is a comfortable structure built of 

 grasses and lined with soft feathers and the like. It is 

 dome-shaped with the entrance in the side, although in 

 many cases, perhaps on account of the warmth of the 

 weather at its nesting time, having the entrance side almost 

 wholly open. The Wren never builds high above the ground 

 — almost on it as a rule. Small bushes, shrubs, fallen 

 branches, or even coarse grass are availed of. 



The eggs, usually three or four in number, are small and 

 white, minutely freckled, particularly at the broad end, with 

 light reddish-brown. 



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