PERCHING BIRDS. 149 



privileged than the little wren, frequenting gar- 

 dens close to our houses, and creeping, mouse-like, 

 through hedges and underwood. The numerous 

 progeny of the wren is proverbial, and it brings 

 off two broods in the season. 



The GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN, is the smallest of 

 British birds ; but it is one of the most active, and 

 endures the winter better than many larger birds. 

 It is found in all wooded parts of the country ; fir 

 woods, however, are its favourite haunts. Both this 

 and the FIRE- CRESTED WREN, which, nearly resembles 

 it, and which is only a very accidental visitor to 

 Great Britain, are so minute, that, hidden as they 

 are among the branches, and shifting and whisking 

 about with meteor-like rapidity, it is no easy 

 matter to see them. The best way to study them is 

 by the aid of a small pocket-telescope, which no one 

 who observes the smaller birds should be with- 

 out, as they can thus be watched without alarm 01 

 disturbance. The young naturalist, when he goes 

 to the wood or coppice, should be thus furnished ; 

 there is ample room for fresh discoveries ; and 

 observations perseveringly and accurately taken 

 will be sure not to go without reward. 



Of all the warblers the NIGHTINGALE bears, be- 

 yond dispute, the pre-eminence. It is acknow- 

 ledged to possess, in a higher degree than any 



