128 



CRUSOE'S ISLAND. 



ting. Its food is mainly insects, and it particularly 

 delights in the pursuit of such venomous things as 

 the scorpion, upon which it darts with rapidity, sepa- 

 rates its tail from the body, and then takes both por- 

 tions to its young. 



Combat between Wrens and Whipsnake. 



When this little bird came to take up his quarters 

 with me I knew that I had a tenant for life, for he 

 has been known to reside in a house during the life 

 of its oldest inmate. He was welcome, not only be- 

 cause he and his sprightly mate kept the house rid 

 of poisonous insects, but for his song and his cheer- 

 ful company. During those long days of rain, when 

 I was held within the house, sitting by my fragrant 

 fire, my diminutive companions sat with me, perched 



