304 SYLVIAD.E. 



unspotted white. The food of this species is flies, aphides, 

 and insects generally in their different states. It does not 

 eat fruit ; and when seen in a garden should be allowed to 

 remain unmolested as one of the gardener"'s best friends, from 

 the number of insects it consumes daily. 



A remarkable instance of the attachment of this bird to 

 its nest is thus recorded in the Field Naturalist by a lady. 

 " In the spring of 1832, walking through an orchard, I 

 was attracted by something on the ground in the form of 

 a large ball, and composed of dried grass. I took it up in 

 my hands, and upon examination found it was a domed 

 nest of the Willow Wren, S'l/lvia trochilus. Concerned 

 at my precipitation, I put it down again as near the same 

 place as I could suppose, but with very little hope that 

 the architect would ever claim it again after such an at- 

 tack. I was, however, agreeably surprised to find, next 

 day, that the little occupier Avas still proceeding with its 

 work. The feathers inside were increased, as I could per- 

 ceive by the alteration in colour. In a few days, two eggs 

 were laid, and I thought my little protege safe from harm, 

 when a flock of Ducks, that had strayed from the poultry- 

 yard, with their usual curiosity, went straight to the nest, 

 which was very conspicuous, as the grass had not grown 

 high enough to conceal it, and with their bills spread it 

 quite open, displaced the eggs, and made the nest a com- 

 plete ruin. I now despaired ; but immediately on driving 

 the authors of the mischief away, I tried to restore the 

 nest to something like its proper form, and placed the eggs 

 inside. That same day I was astonished to find an addi- 

 tion of another egg ; and in about a week four more. The 

 bird sate ; and ultimately brought out seven young ones ; 

 but I cannot help supposing it a singular instance of at- 

 tachment and confidence, after being twice so rudely dis- 

 turbed." 



