533 



MY GARDEN. 



like the Tree Creeper, but downwards, head first, as in fig. 1153. A 

 friend of my son, Mr. W. H. Power, has noticed this bird carry off 

 acorns from an evergreen oak, but what it did with them he was 

 never able to discover. 



The Wren (Troglodytes vulgaris, fig. 1154) is one of our constant 

 residents, and endears itself to us by its song, and by its pretty little 

 ways. It delights to build in our summer-houses, and when we take 

 refreshment there, it is most amusing to see the little creature come to 

 feed its young ones, as it uses the most cunning devices to enter and 

 to leave unseen ; it climbs up the rafters, and, having fed its young, 

 drops out of the nest and rapidly flies away. I have observed that this 



A 



FIG. 1154. Wren. 



FIG. 1155. Wren's Nest. 



bird, when it brings food to the nest, takes away all the droppings 

 of the young birds to a distance ; but whether for sanitary purposes 

 or to prevent the discovery of the nest, I do not know. We have 

 always many wrens' nests (fig. 1155) in the grounds, some in our 

 summer-houses, some in trees, and one was built last year in an old 

 stump in such a situation that it was impossible to pass without touch- 

 ing it, and yet it was never found by any of our cats, nor do I remember 

 that the prying eyes of any of my young children friends ever saw 

 it till I pointed it out, and then they were delighted to gratify their 

 curiosity by putting in their little fingers to feel the eggs ; and after 

 the young birds were hatched the children were in raptures when the 

 young birds mistook their finger for their mother, and opened their 

 mouths for food. 



