116 SONG OF THE WREN. 



Pipes her perennial lay ; even when the flakes 

 Broad as her pinions fall, she lightly flies 

 Athwart the shower, and sings upon the wing. 



To this we may very appropriately add the fine moral lines 

 in reference to this bird, introduced by Bishop Mant : 



The quick note of the russet Wren, 

 Familiar to the haunts of men ; 

 He quits in hollowed wall his bower, 

 And through the winter's gloomy hour 

 Sings cheerily ; nor yet hath lost 

 His blitheness, chilled by pinching frost, 

 Nor yet is forced for warmth to cleave 

 To caverned nook, or straw-built eave, 

 Sing, gentle bird ! sing on, designed 

 A lesson for our anxious kind ; 

 That we, like thee, with hearts content 

 Enjoy the blessings God hath sent, 

 His bounty trust, perform his will, 

 Nor antedate uncertain ill ! 



To the same effect is likewise the testimony of Wood, who 

 says of this bird, that 



The song is short in stave, shrill, and remarkably loud in propor- 

 tion to the size of the bird. It may, perhaps, be ranked amongst 

 the most trivial of our feathered choristers, but the notes are more 

 prized than they would otherwise be, on account of their being 

 frequently heard in mid-winter, when a mere scream would almost 

 seem sweet, especially if it proceeded from the throat of so tiny a 

 bird as the Ivy Wren. And thus, insignificant and humble (with 

 regard to musical merit) as are its strains, I always listen to them 

 with delight in the dreary seasons, though we are apt to overlook 

 them altogether in fairer times. In fact, interesting as are some of 

 the habits of this species, it always conveys to one's mind the idea 

 of cold and of winter faggots, even in the midst of summer. It 

 often commences singing so early as January, mostly taking its 

 stand on a heap of sticks, a log of wood, a hedge abounding with 

 dead underwood, or a currant bush. Were it not that the bird is 

 generally so conspicuous, it would be difficult to believe that the 

 notes proceed from a creature of such small dimensions, so loud and 

 clear are they. 



We may also quote Waterton, who, in his usual happy 

 manner, gives, in a few words, a sketch of our little brisk 

 favourite's characteristics : 



