222 IN NATURE'S WAYS 



nest had been built if he chanced to come back when 

 his mate was already within. 



It is worth while in winter to look into any wrens' 

 nests late in the evening or at night, for we have known 

 wrens to use their old nests as roosting-places, five or 

 six cuddling inside for warmth. Before going to roost 

 on a winter's evening in an old nest, or more usually 

 in a snug hole in a thatched roof, in ivy, or crevices of 

 old trees, the wrens may be heard crying " Chit, chit, 

 chit ! " to one another ; and then, after a great 

 chattering and fussing, they all go to roost together 

 in parties of fives, tens, or even twenties. 



This little mouse-like bird of the hedges, with his 

 lively ways and pert, up-turned tail, is well known 

 to be one of the finest sentinel birds, and is the first 

 to raise his shrill alarm-notes on the appearance of 

 bird or beast of prey his notes ringing out like the 

 rattle of a watchman of olden days. 



Printed in Great Britain at 



The Mayflower }'ress, Plymouth. 



William Brendon & Son, Ltd. 



