HOUSE WREN. 333 



latter with materials of the same sort; and ultimately succeeded 



in raising a brood of seven young, all of which escaped in 

 safety. 



The immense number of insects which this sociable little bird 

 removes from the garden and fruit trees, ought to endear him 

 to every cultivator, even if he had nothing else to recommend 

 him; but his notes, loud, sprightly, tremulous, and repeated 

 every few seconds with great animation, are extremely agreea- 

 ble. In the heat of summer, families in the country often dine 

 under the piazza, adjoining green canopies of mantling grape 

 vines, gourds, &c. while overhead the trilling vivacity of the 

 Wren, mingled with the warbling mimicry of the Mocking- 

 bird, and the distant softened sounds of numerous other song- 

 sters that we shall hereafter introduce to the reader's acquaint- 

 ance, form a soul-soothing and almost heavenly music, breathing 

 peace, innocence and rural repose. The European, who judges 

 of the song of this species by that of his own Wren (M. trog- 

 lodytes) , will do injustice to the former, as in strength of tone, 

 and execution, it is far superior, as well as the bird is in size, 

 figure and elegance of markings, to the European one. Its man- 

 ners are also different; its sociability greater. It is no under- 

 ground inhabitant; its nest is differently constructed, the number 

 of its eggs fewer; it is also migratory; and has the tail and bill 

 much longer. Its food is insects and caterpillars, and while sup- 

 plying the wants of its young, it destroys, on a moderate cal- 

 culation, many hundreds a day, and greatly circumscribes the 

 ravages of these vermin. It is a bold and insolent bird against 

 those of the Titmouse or Woodpecker kind that venture to build 

 within its jurisdiction; attacking them without hesitation, though 

 twice its size, and generally forcing them to decamp. I have 

 known him drive a pair of swallows from their newly formed 

 nest, and take immediate possession of the premises, in which 

 his female also laid her eggs and reared her young. Even the 

 Blue-bird, who claims an equal, and sort of hereditary right to 

 the box in the garden, when attacked by this little impertinent, 

 soon relinquishes the contest, the mild placidness of his dispo- 

 sition not being a match for the fiery impetuosity of his little 



