WREN 103 



rous, and probably perishes in large numbers during periods of frost, 

 when larks, pipits, and titmice become seed-eaters. Yet the wren 

 is a harcly little bird, a resident all the year round in the coldest 

 parts of our country, and one of the few songsters which may be 

 heard in all seasons. Even during a frost, if the sun shines, the 

 wren will sing as gaily as in summer. His song is his greatest 

 charm. It is unlike that of any other British melodist a loud, 

 bright lyric, the fine, clear, high-pitched notes and trills issuing in 

 a continuous rapid stream from beginning to end. Although rapid, 

 and ending somewhat abruptly, it is a beautiful and finished per- 

 formance, in which every note is distinctly enunciated and has its 

 value. When near it sounds very loud : one is surprised to hear so 

 loud a song from so small a creature. But it does not carry far : the 

 notes of the song-thrush, blackbird, and nightingale can be heard at 

 nearly three times the distance. 



The wren begins his nest -building at the end of April, and in 

 selecting a site exercises a greater freedom than most small birds. 

 The nests may be found in trees, bushes, masses of ivy or other 

 dense vegetation, hedgerows, holes in banks and walls, crevices in 

 rocks, in furze-bushes, a.nd close to the ground among the bramble- 

 bushes. There is also a great variety in the materials used in 

 building different nests. As a rule, one kind of material is used for 

 the outer part of the structure, which is domed, and very large for 

 the bird. It may be moss or dead leaves, or moss and leaves woven 

 together, or dry grass leaves and stems, or dead fern-fronds. The 

 nest is not only well concealed, but in most cases the outside is 

 made to assimilate in colour to the vegetation surrounding it. The 

 opening is near the top of the nest ; inside, the cavity is lined with 

 moss, hair, and feathers. Four or five eggs are laid, often a larger 

 number, and it is not unusual to find as many as eight or nine eggs 

 in a nest. Not long ago, in a wood in Berkshire, I saw eight young 

 wrens sitting in a row on a branch near the ground, and watched 

 them being fed by the old birds. The eggs are pure white, thinly 

 spotted with pinkish red. Two broods are reared in the season. 

 Imperfect or false nests are often found near the nest containing 

 the eggs, and are called ' cocks' nests,' the belief being that they 

 are made by the male bird. 



