168 By Leafy Ways. 



Two distinct legends account for the colour of its 

 breast. One is associated with Christ's Crown of 

 Thorns. Another story is that the robin scorched its 

 breast in bringing fire down from heaven to rekindle 

 the cold hearths of mankind. One legend, embodied 

 in Whittier's beautiful verses, tells us that the robin 

 burnt its tender little bosom while carrying drops of 

 water in its beak to relieve the anguish of the souls of 

 the lost. 



It is said that the wren, associated in myth and 

 rhyme with the robin, is still in some places looked 

 upon as its mate. The reason for this strange idea 

 lies perhaps in the similar friendly way of the two 

 birds. Both constantly haunt the abodes of man. 

 The songs of both, from wintry dawn to sunset, enliven 

 the dark days when no other minstrel finds a stave to 

 sing. Their easily recognised figures are familiar to 

 us from childhood ; their very names are household 

 words. 



Some writers as early as Aristotle describe the 

 wren as the king of birds, and various accounts are 

 found in folk-lore of the contest which gave him this 

 dignity. 



The feathered tribes, assembled in solemn conclave 

 to elect a king, agreed to honour as their lord, that 

 one of their number who should fly the highest. The 

 eagle easily distanced all comers, and when even his 

 great wings were weary, and he could fly no higher, 

 he prepared to claim the crown. Thereupon a wren, 



