WREN. 509 



By imitating closely the surroundings of her nest by using materials 

 similar in colour, the Wren usually provides for its safety; and most 

 effectually are her wiles exercised. Professor Xewton, however, states 

 that this prudence is not always shown ; and gives us an instance of a 

 nest of this bird which was built year after year in a hole in a wall, where 

 the bright green moss with which it was made was very conspicuous 

 against the blocks of white chalk. I have frequently observed the same 

 of the nesting of the Dipper; but in both cases its very conspicuousness 

 was most probably its safety. Although exposed thus, they escape detection, 

 because they do not look like nests, but resemble closely large masses of 

 withered fern-fronds which here and there stud the rocks. 



Another very curious fact connected with the Wren's nesting economy is 

 the number of unoccupied dwellings of this species which are so frequently 

 observed, and are widely known as " cock-nests/' Most country people, 

 and not a few scientific naturalists, assert that these nests are either made 

 for the male laird's reception, or that they are for the purpose of sheltering 

 the birds during the inclement winter season. The explanation of this 

 singular habit is still unknown, although many ingenious theories have 

 been offered. 



The food of the Wren is composed largely of insects ; and the bird may 

 often be seen near ants' nests searching for their eggs. In autumn 

 it will also eat fruit ; and Macgillivray states that he has found small 

 seeds in its stomach. This fare is also varied with the crumbs and small 

 scraps thrown out in the winter for the Robins and Sparrows; for the 

 Wren is almost sure to make his appearance at these gatherings and 

 share the meal with them. 



Many erroneous statements have been made as to the manner and the 

 place in which the Wren roosts during winter. It is said that numbers 

 of these birds will huddle together for warmth iii holes. The Wren roosts, 

 like many other small birds, in the dense evergreen, amongst ivy, and 

 not unfrequently in the sides and amongst the thatch of haystacks. At 

 no season of the year are Wrens gregarious. Perhaps the only time 

 when they are seen in companies is when the young have just quitted 

 the nest and are being as it were started in life by their parents. But 

 this only lasts for a few days, and then, until the following breeding- 

 season, the Wren is one of the most solitary of birds. 



The custom of hunting the Wren in Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the 

 south of France, on certain days has already been dwelt upon by many 

 writers; and as the subject more concerns the antiquary than the orni- 

 thologist, ^ may be dismissed without further comment, beyond a 

 reference for the curious reader to such authorities as Thompson ( f Birds 

 of Ireland') and Brand (' Popular Antiquitit - . 



The European form of the Wren has the general colour of the upper 



