OF VICTORIA. 



of the approach of the breeding season is the intense 

 pugnacity of the mated males. From the time the young 

 are driven off till long after the next brood is out all 

 trespassing wrens of either sex are persecuted. In Mr. 

 Graiiam's garden a male wren proved a nuisance. It was 

 impossible to give the caged wren the benefit of air and 

 shade outside. He was thus obliged to keep it indoors 

 and cover the windows with fine wire netting so as to 

 protect the caged bird from the incessant attacks of the 

 free bird. Should he have neglected to have kept the 

 door closed, and be looking into the cage to see how 

 the changes of plumage were progressing, the tormentor 

 was sure to fly past his head and hang on to the 

 wiie of the cage till driven away. Constant chasing 

 seemed to make no difference. It. never missed an oppor- 

 tunity for an attack. Its own nest being situated in a 

 gooseberry bush just opposite the door, it was always ready 

 to enforce what seems to me to be the law, that no wrens 

 may come within a certain distance of the breeding-place. 

 In wet districts October is the breeding month. In select- 

 ing a site for the nest the female is chiefly concerned with 

 securing a place somewhat removed from other wrens. 

 Ideal nesting-places are small detached portions of cover 

 situated a short distance from the main cover, and all the 

 better if they contain plenty of tussocky grass, When the 

 young are old enough to make an outcry if disturbed is 

 the time to see a display of pugnacity and courage on the 

 part of the male. It does not flutter or utter alarm notes 

 like the female, but goes silently and swiftly to the attack, 

 with its little body crouched, its wings and tail depressed, 

 and its blue mantle standing out like a rufl. It moves 

 quickly along the twigs or over the ground after the 

 manner of a mouse, making angry darts at the intruder till 



