THE WREN. 49 



Anecdote by Mr. St. John. 



Phebe) in the other corner ; and a wren posses- 

 sed a little box which I had made on purpose, 

 and hung between. These were all quite tame. 

 The wren had for some time shown signs of dis- 

 like to the box which had been given to it, 

 though it was not known on what account. At 

 length, however, it resolved, small as it was, to 

 drive the swallow from its habitation ; and, asto- 

 nishing to say, it succeeded. Impudence gets 

 the better of modesty ; and this exploit was no 

 sooner performed, than the wren removed every 

 material to its own box with the most admirable 

 dexterity. The signs of triumph appeared very 

 visible : it fluttered its wings with uncommon ve- 

 locity ; and an universal joy was perceivable in 

 all its movements. The peaceable swallow, like 

 the passive quaker, meekly sat at a small distance, 

 and never offered the least resistance. But no 

 sooner was the plunder carried away, than the 

 injured bird went to work with unabated ardor, 

 and in a few days the depredations were re- 

 paired." Mr. St. John, to prevent any repeti- 

 tion of the same violence, removed the wren's 

 box to another part of the house. 



In taking the young from the nest, it is neces- 

 sary to leave them till they are well feathered. 

 In rearing they should be fed and treated like 

 young nightingales and robins, giving them but 

 little at a time. When they are grown fit for a 

 cage, they should have a large one, made with 

 very close wire, with three sides wood, and oue 



VOL. III. NO. XXI. 2 I 



