102 OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



The origin of this strange custom is by no means 

 certain, Mr. and Mrs, Hall, in their work on Ireland, 

 tell us that "it is 'traditionally said that in ' the ould 

 ancient times,' when the native Irish were about to 

 catch their Danish enemies asleep, a Wren perched 

 upon the drum, and woke the slumbering sentinels just 

 in time to save the entire army. Consequently the 

 little bird was proclaimed a traitor, outlawed, and his 

 life declared forfeit whenever he was encountered." In 

 the Isle of Man a similar onslaught is made on 

 Christmas Day ; but in most parts of England the 

 Wren seems to share the sanctity of the Robin. Mr. 

 Johns quotes a rhyme common in the west : 



" Whoso kills a Robin or a Wren 

 Shall never prosper, boy or man ;" 



and a similar couplet from the north : 



" Malisons,* malisons, mair than ten, 

 Who harries the Queen of heaven's Wren." 



With one more quotation I will conclude this notice 

 of our little friend : 



" Beside the Redbreast's note, one other strain, 

 One summer strain, in wintry days is heard. 

 Amid the leafless thorn the meriy Wren, 

 When icicles hang dripping from the roof, 

 Pipes her perennial lay ; even when the flakes 

 Broad as her pinions fall, she lightly flies 

 Athwart the shower, and sings upon the wing." 



GRAHAME. 



