WREN. INSESSORES. TROGLODYTES. 391 



fabric from the base upwards ; but by first tracing the gene- 

 ral outline of an oval form, against the tree, bank, or other 

 place it may have selected, firmly fixing it by the upper part, 

 and back, in its required position. After this it proceeds 

 gradually to enclose the sides, leaving only a small neatly- 

 finished aperture near the top. The inside of this mansion 

 then receives a warm lining of feathers. 



It is worthy of remark, that the external materials of the 

 nest are always admirably adapted in colour to the situation 

 it is to occupy. Thus, on trees over-run with ivy, the outer 

 coat is entirely composed of the fresh and greener mosses ; 

 but on a stump, or rock-grey with lichens and withered grass, 

 the nest will be found to be built either of those substances, 

 or of others coinciding in general effect. In this secure de- 

 pository it lays from six to eight eggs, of a yellowish-white, 

 speckled, principally at the larger end, with reddish-brown. 

 The young, if undisturbed, continue to return at roosting- 

 time to the nest in which they were bred for a considerable 

 time after they are able to fly, and provide for themselves. 



In very severe winters, particularly such as are attended by 

 great falls of snow, numbers of these birds perish, from the 

 failure of their appropriate food. Under these circumstances, 

 they retire for shelter into holes of walls, and to the eaves of 

 corn and hay stacks ; and I have frequently found the bodies 

 of several together in old nests, which they had entered for 

 additional protection and warmth during severe storms. 



The food of the Wren consists of various winged insects, Food. 

 of worms, and of larvae. Its flight is generally very low, and 

 limited to short distances, and it seems to depend less upon 

 that for safety, than on the facility with which it can creep 

 from observation into small holes and crevices. 



PLATE 47. Fig. 5. Natural size. 



Bill much curved, colour brown. Irides chestnut-brown. General 

 Head and upper parts of the body pale chestnut-brown, descrip- 

 inclining towards the tail-coverts to reddish-brown, and 



