THE WREN. 119 



the brow of a river's bank, where the turf overhangs, 

 from being undermined by the stream : but the wren 

 seems equally partial to the shelter afforded by ivy on 

 trees or walls, though it will often build under the fork 

 of a bare overhanging bough. A nest was observed 

 in the small upper spray of a hawthorn, though one pro- 

 bably appears more commonly still, sheltered under the 

 projecting side of a haystack, or the overhanging thatch 

 of a cottage eave. 



A wren, which for many years built her nest behind 

 an ash-tree which overhung the writer's garden, was 

 thus addressed : — 



' Little warbler, long hast thou 

 Perch'd beneath yon spreading bough, 

 Sung beneath yon ivied tree — 

 Thy mossy nest I yearly see. 

 Safe from all thy peace annoys — 

 Claws of cats and cruel boys. 

 We often hear thy chit-chat song 

 Call thy tiny brood along ; 

 While in her nest, or on a spray. 

 The throstle charms us with her lay. 

 Little warbler! cheerful wren! 

 Spring-time comes, and thou again. 

 Little warbler! thou, like me, 

 Delight'st in home and harmless glee ; 

 What of peace is to be found 

 Circles all thy dwelling round; 

 Here with love, beneath the shade 

 Thy tranquil happiness is made : 



