46 WILD LIFE: FURRED AND FEATHERED. 



tinguishable from the lichen-marked tree trunk or branch. 

 His shrill little song during this month may guide you 

 to his whereabouts, but his nest will not be found till 

 later on. 



Tiniest of all our British birds is the bright little golden- 

 crested wren, and these wrens arrive in great flocks on our 

 east coast, of late years in increasing numbers, also owing 

 to the larger cultivation of larches and fir trees. You may 

 see them at such times like swarms of bees on, bushes near 

 the coast, and the weary little travellers on their migrating 

 flight rest often in numbers about the rigging of fishing 

 craft. During this month the male's little song is heard 

 continually when the weather is fine; and he builds now 

 his beautiful nest, of soft moss as a rule, underneath the 

 branch of a yew, a cedar, fir, or perhaps one of your 

 garden evergreens. It is cunningly felted with spider's 

 webs, a little lichen, and soft wool, with a few tiny 

 feathers. In this from five to ten mottled eggs will be 

 laid. In the company of tits and creepers this bird may 

 be seen looking for its insect food in the woods and 

 spinneys. 



The willow wren has arrived, and we hear a few faint 

 little notes that seem to say he has not yet regained his 

 strength and full song, being perhaps weary after his long 

 flight to our shores. In April his voice will be stronger, 

 and indeed he may not appear at all until early next month. 

 A delicately-shaped greenish-yellow bird he is, the com- 

 monest of the warblers of his kind that visit us in the time 

 of the vernal migration. Owing to the shape of his domed 

 nest, which is made of dry grass lined with feathers, this 

 bird, with the others of his species, is called the oven-bird, 

 and to the willow wren is given also the name of hay-bird. 



