WEENS. 87 



when they are migrating, the golden-crowned do not 

 sing, but have ahnost a constant chirp, much resembhng 

 that of the red-headed chipping bird ; but in summer, at 

 nesting time, the golden-crowned has a delightful song, 

 fine and far-reaching, verging on the plaintive, but very 

 sweet. 



All the wrens are useful. They are the friends of 

 husbandry and horticulture, being entirely insectivorous 

 in their habits. They delight us with their beauty, 

 their cheerfulness and their sweet songs. Their virtues 

 are all positive. They are harmless, neither driving 

 away other birds nor destroying anything useful to 

 man. If people had shown them half the favors they 

 have shown the querulous, scolding, pugilistic, unmusi- 

 cal and nearly useless English sparrow by preserving 

 them from harm, and providing them with nesting 

 places, we might now have the house wrens, at least, 

 in abundance about our premises, objects of interest, 

 and also sources of profit. 



