166 WREN. 



They feed chiefly on insects and worms. Their song is 

 commonly heard in the winter, and, in plaintiveness, com- 

 pass, and execution, is equal to that of many of our most 

 admired songsters. The Redbreast has its nest, generally, 

 in some barn or out-house. It is formed, externally, of 

 coarse materials, and lined with horse-hairs. The eggs 

 are of a cream-colour, sprinkled all over with fine red- 

 dish yellow spots, particularly towards the blunt end, 

 where these spots are so numerous, as almost to appear in 

 a mass. 



Hedge-Sparrow. The notes of the Hedge- Sparrow 

 are extremely pleasing. This, which is one of the most 

 common of our birds, frequents hedges and fields, and 

 forms its nest in some low bush, with moss, wool, and 

 hair. The eggs are five in number, of a pale blue colour. 

 These are hatched about the end of April, or beginning 

 of May. 



Blackcap. In gardens and orchards, these diminutive 

 birds are generally to be seen, in considerable numbers, 

 from the beginning of May until about the middle of 

 September. Their notes are full, sweet, deep, loud, and 

 of great compass ; bence they have acquired the name 

 of Mock Nightingale. They feed on insects, and con- 

 struct their nests near the ground, laying five eggs, of a 

 pale reddish-brown, sprinkled with spots of a darker 

 colour. 



Wren. This is an interesting little bird. It is com- 

 monly to be seen hopping about the bottoms of hedges, 

 where sometimes it has the appearance of a mouse. It 

 is not able to make long flights, and, if driven from the 

 hedges, is easily run down. The Wren is to be ranked 



