334 ZOOLOGY. 



almost impossible the bodv of the bird could be admitted ; within this, is a 

 layer of fine dried stalks of grass, and lastly feathers. The eggs are six cr 

 seven, and sometimes nine, of a red purplish flesh color, innumerable fine 

 grains of that tint being thickly sprinkled over the whole egg. They 

 generally raise two broods in a season, the first about the beginning of 

 June, the second in July. 



" This little bird has a strong antipathy to cats ; for having frequent 

 occasion to glean among the currant bushes and other shrubbery in the 

 garden, those lurking enemies of the feathered race often prove fatal to 

 him. A box fixed up in the window of the room where I slept, was taken 

 possession of by a pair of wrens. Already the nest was built and two eggs 

 laid, when one day the windows being open, as well as the room door, the 

 female wren venturing too far into the room to reconnoitre, was sprung 

 upon by grimalkin, who had planted hei'self there for the purpose, and 

 before relief could be given was destroyed. Curious to see how the 

 survivor would demean himself, I watched him carefully for several days. 

 At first he sang with great vivacity for an hour or so, but becoming 

 uneasy, went off for half an hour; on his return he chanted again as before, 

 went to the top of the house, stable, and weeping-willow, that she might 

 hear him, but seeing no appearance of her, he returned once more, visited 

 the nest, ventured cautiously into the window, gazed about with suspicious 

 looks, his voice sinking to a low melancholy note, as he stretched his little 

 neck about in every direction. Returning to the box, he seemed for some 

 minutes at a loss what to do, and soon after went off, as I thought, 

 altogether, for I saw him no more that day. Towards the afternoon of 

 the second day, he again made his appearance accompanied by a new 

 female, who seemed exceedinsrlv timorous and shv. and who, after great 

 hesitation, entered the box. At this moment the little widower, or bride- 

 groom, seemed as if he would warble out his very life with ecstasy of joy. 

 After remaining in about half a minute, they both flew off, but I'eturned in 

 a few minutes, and instantly began to carry out the eggs, feathers, and 

 some of the sticks, supplying the place of the two latter with materials of 

 the same sort, and ultimately succeeded in raising a brood of seven young, 

 all of which escaped in safety." 



Several other species of wrens inhabit America, most of which live in 

 the woods and do not partake of the sociable character of the house- wren. 

 The European wren is of the same description in some measure as the 

 latter, though it builds its nest in low bushes near the ground. It does not 

 appear to be so great a favorite as the American house-wren. 



In this sub-family the lyre bird of Australia, Menura superha {pi. 102, 

 fig. 14), is classed. It is remarkable for the singular beauty of its long 

 tail. Australia is its peculiar country, in which it appears to prefer the 

 woods upon the sea-coast, though it has been met with in those of the 

 interior, living habitually upon the ground, and constructing its nest upon 

 a projecting i-ock, or the stump of a tree. Its food consists of insects 

 which are obtained by scratching amongst the fallen leaves. 



Several genera, comprising about forty species, of the birds of this 

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