186 THE WREX AND THE TROGLODYTE 



ever warbles excepting at the time of brooding; at all 

 other times, it utters only a sort of single shrill cry which 

 is very much like that of the grasshopper. But if it does 

 not shine by its song, it makes up (or this imperfection by 

 Avearing on its forehead the badge of royalty. Its plain 

 l)rown })lumage is set ofl by a beautiful gold coloured 

 ci'own. This crest consists of moveable feathers which 

 the wren, by means of certain nmscles in the head, can 

 raise or lower at pleasure. The crest is edged with black; 

 a white line at its basis, a black trail on both sides of the 

 eyes, mark yet more the courageous and resolute mien 

 of this miniature monarch. 



And indeed the golden-crowned wren is full of viva- 

 city and energy ; there is not a bird A\ho undertakes more 

 bravely the struggle for existence. In summer's sini, in 

 winter's cold it skips with intrepidity from tree to bush, 

 from bush to blade of grass, shelling the yellow grain of 

 fennel seed, dealing the needles of the larch tree, picking 

 in the crevices of the bark of willows to find larvae of 

 insects or eggs of butterflies. 



It is exceedingly fond of biting off voung leaves from 

 I he boughs of the trees of the ])ine family : pines, fir 

 trees, juniper trees. Axhich conceal a whole world of 

 lai'vae and eggs between their needles. The wren is a 

 master in the art of destroving caterpillars. It has been 

 calculated that a golden-crested wTen can devour yearly 

 three millions of eggs and of chrysalides. 



