WREN. IOI 



fastened to some object. Mr. Mapgiliivray mentions 

 one which, begun on the 3Oth of May./ was flrpteortjplfcted 

 until the 8th of June, both cock Atid 'heft 1 working' witH 

 unabated diligence until it was finished. The outline of 

 the nest is usually traced first, and then the sides are 

 enclosed, leaving only an aperture for entrance at the 

 top. 



The Wren lays seven or eight eggs, of a pale reddish- 

 white colour, although sometimes a much larger number 

 may be found ; and it is said that on one occasion as 

 many as twenty were taken out of a single nest. 



On St. Stephen's Day, December 26, the " Wren Boys" 

 may be seen in most parts of Ireland carrying rushes 

 decked with streamers, in the midst of which a little 

 ball usually does duty for a Wren, and soliciting 

 " backsheesh " from everyone they meet. In some 

 places the heads of the "boys" are enveloped in stocks 

 or wisps of hay. The chant, as I have often heard it in 

 Waterford, runs thus : 



" The Wran, the Wran, the king of all birds, 

 St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze ; 

 Although he is little, his family 's great ; 

 Stand up, good lady, and give us a thrate. 

 Drolleen ! drolleen ! where 's yer nest ? 

 In the bush that I love best, 

 In the hollow ivy-tree, 

 Where all the birds do follow me." 



I am aware that there are other versions of the Wren 

 Boys' song ; that which I have given is, however, the 

 only one I have heard sung on St. Stephen's Day. 

 The word " droeilin," pronounced drolyeen^ is the Celtic 

 for Wren, and the song begins in the vernacular with 

 the words : " droeilin, droeilin, ri an t'eum." 



