2 30 BRITISH BIRDS 



eaves, and in barns and cow-houses, where it not only 

 finds insects, but also warmth. 



If it is decided to try and keep a Wren in the house, 

 it must be accustomed to eat ants' eggs by covering them 

 with aphides, or young spiders; but it is seldom that it 

 can be preserved for any length of time, even with every 

 care. As it is in the habit of always sleeping in a hole 

 or crevice of some kind, a little box, or a cocoanut shell 

 or husk, must be provided for it in the house, and in this 

 it will pass not only the night, but also a considerable 

 portion of the day. 



Although apparently of a bold and fearless disposition, 

 it is by no means easy to tame a Wren, and the only 

 inducement for trying to do so is its wonderful song, 

 which is very powerful for the size of the bird, continued 

 throughout the year, and varied and well sustained. 



The Golden-crested Wren. See Introduction, page 8. 



The Willow Wren. 



This bird is very like the Chiff-chaff, but is larger and 

 of a brighter colour. It differs, however, in several other 

 respects not arriving so early, and leaving us later than 

 the Chiff-chaff. The nest is very similar in appearance to 

 that of its congener, and so are the eggs; indeed, were 

 it not for the size the one bird might be looked upon as 

 a variety of the other, but they are certainly distinct. 



The song of the Willow Wren is louder and more 

 sustained than that of the Chiff-chaff, and like the latter 

 it has no small imitative power, but will pick up the call 

 note, and sometimes a portion of the song, of another bird. 



It is not as peacefully disposed as the Chiff-chaff, but 

 makes its presence felt in a mixed aviary, where it will 

 not give way to birds even considerably larger than itself. 



The young are easily reared from the nest. 



The Wood Wren. 



This bird bears a great likeness to the Willow \Vren, but 

 the eye-streak is more distinct and the tail shorter; the 



