HOW CAN IT FIND ROOM? 119 



the centre of the log a large hole, 10^- inches in length by 

 7| inches in breadth, filled with moss, feathers, hair, &c., 

 and containing seven bird's eggs, which, from their dimi- 

 nutive size, were considered to be Wren's eggs. The tree, 

 from its immense size, is supposed to be of about 150 

 years' growth. 



The Wren builds twice a year, in April and June, and 

 the brood is a large one, the number of eggs ranging from 

 ten to eighteen ; the eggs are of a roundish form, white, 

 and sprinkled near the larger end with faint red spots. 

 Grahame says : 



Fifteen white spherules, small as moorland harebell, 



And prettily bespecked like foxglove flower, 



Complete her number. Twice five days she sits, 



Fed by her partner, never flitting off, 



Save when the morning sun is high, to drink 



A dewdrop from the nearest flowret cup. 



And now behold the greatest of this train 



Of miracles, stupendously minute ; 



The numerous progeny claimants for food, 



Supported by two small bills, and feeble wings 



Of narrow range ; supplied, aye, daily fed ; 



Fed in the dark, and yet not one forgot. 



The latter of these lines is but a poetical paraphrase of the 

 observation of Willoughby, who says : i It is strange to 

 admiration that so small a bodied bird should feed such a 

 company of young, and not miss one bird, and that in the 

 dark also.' Kay ranks this circumstance among those daily 

 miracles of which we take no notice. Miracles, indeed, 

 are on every side of us. And this of the little Wren 

 nourishing into life her numerous progeny, and supplying 

 them with food afterwards, is not the least of them. 



Wren, canst thou squeeze into a hole so small ? 

 asks James Montgomery ; and the bird replies 

 Aye, with nine nestlings too, and room for all. 

 Go, compass sea and land in search of bliss, 

 And tell me if you find a happier home than this. 



There are several traditions connected with this bird. 

 Here is one prevalent in the Isle of Man : 

 In former times, a fairy of extraordinary beauty exercised such 



