THE WREN. 



353 





We are all familiar with the Wren. 



The long and harsh name of " Troglodytes," which has been given 

 to this bird, signifies a diver into caves, and has been attributed to the 

 Wren on account of its shy and retiring habits, and its custom of hid- 

 ing its nest in some hollow or crevice where it may escape observation. 

 The Wren is seldom to be seen in the open country, and does not ven- 

 ture upon any lengthened flight, but confines itself to the hedgerows 

 and brushwood, where it may often be observed hopping and skipping 

 like a tiny feathered mouse among — ^UT^ ' 



the branches. It especially haunts ^ ^^^^ ^ *|y 

 the hedges which are flanked by ^i&i '' " ' 

 ditches, as it can easily hide itself W 

 in such localities, and can also ob- J, 

 tain a plentiful supply of food. By 

 remaining perfectly quiet, the ob- 

 server can readily watch its move- 

 ments, and it is really an interest- 

 ing sight to see the little creature 

 flitting about the brushwood, flirt- 

 ing its saucily expressive tail, and 

 uttering its quick and cheering 

 note. 



The voice of the Wren is very 

 sweet and melodious, and of a 

 more powerful character than would be imagined from the dimensions 

 of the bird. The Wren is a merry little creature, and chants its gay 

 song on the slightest encouragement of weather. Even in winter there 

 needs but the gleam of a few stray sunbeams to set the Wren a-singing, 

 and the cold Christmas season is often cheered with its happy notes. 



The nest of the Wren is rather an ambitious structure, being a com- 

 pletely domed edifice, and built in a singularly ingenious manner. If, 

 however, the bird can find a suitable spot, such as the hole of a decay- 

 ing tree, the gnarled and knotted branches of old ivy, or the overhang- 

 ing eaves of a deserted building where a natural dome is formed, it is 

 sure to seize upon the opportunity and to make a dome of very slight 

 workmanship. The dome, however, always exists in some form. 



The materials of which the nest is composed are always leaves, moss, 

 grass, and lichens, and it is almost always so neatly budt that it can 

 hardly be seen by one who was not previously aware of its position. 

 The opening of the nest is always at the side, so that the eggs are se- 

 curely shielded from the effects of weather. 



As to the locality and position in which the nest is placed no definite 

 rule is observed, for the Wren is more capricious than the generality 

 of birds in fixing upon a house for her young. Wrens' nests have been 

 30* X 



The Wren {Troglodytes vulgaris). 



