466 FAMILY CERTHIAD^E? WREN, LYRE-TAIL. 



America ; which country seems to be the chief habitation of this 



family. 



420. We are probably also to include in this family the 



Wrens ; which have a close alliance to the Gold-crests among 



thi Warblers, but seem on the whole more nearly related to 



the Creepers. They have a 

 rather long and slender bill, 

 short wings, an elevated tail, 

 and feet of moderate aizo. 

 Their colouring is usually 

 dull, and not in any case re- 

 markable for brilliancy. They 

 live chiefly on or near the 



FIG. 262 EUROPEAN WREN. , , . ,. 



ground, seeking for insects 



and worms among the low bushes ; and they construct a very 

 bulky nest of vegetable substances, such as dried ferns, lined with 

 moss and feathers. They inhabit both Continents; and some of the 

 species are among the hardiest of all the smaller Birds, in resist- 

 ing extremes of cold. There is only one species of true Wren in 

 this country, and this is widely diffused over Europe ; all the 

 others at present known belong to North America. The Euro- 

 pean Wren is one of the most familiarly known of all our small 

 Birds, on account of the liveliness of its habits, as well as its 

 peculiarity of form. Its flight is effected by a rapid and con- 

 tinuous motion of the wings ; but it is not long sustained, for the 

 Bird merely flits from one bush to another, or from stone to stone. 

 Sometimes, however, it ascends trees, nearly in the manner of 

 the Creepers. The male has a very pleasing, rich, and mellow 

 song ; which is principally heard in spring and summer, but 

 which is occasionally put forth in autumn and on fine days in 

 winter. Allied to the Wrens is a very extraordinary Bird, 

 probably the largest of the Insessorial order, the Mcenura, or 

 Lyre-tail of Australia. This is distinguished by the extraordi- 

 nary plumage of its tail, the feathers of which rise up on either side, 

 so as to present the form of an ancient lyre, whence the name 

 given to the Bird. In other respects, however, it bears a strong 

 resemblance both to the Wrens and Thrushes ; except in regard 



