WREN. 463 



Jesse, in his ' Gleanings/ mentions a nest, among some 

 litter thrown into a yard, which so nearly resembled the 

 surrounding objects that it was only discovered by the birds 

 flying out of it. Almost every observer must have noticed 

 similar instances ; but this prudence is not always shewn, 

 and the Editor recollects a Wren's nest year after year in 

 the hole of a wall, the bright green moss of which it was 

 made always contrasting conspicuously with the blocks of 

 white chalk with which the wall was built. 



The nest is large in comparison with the size of the bird, 

 generally oval in shape, and domed over the top, with, as be- 

 fore said, a small hole at one end or on the side ; usually it 

 is plentifully lined with feathers, but sometimes none are 

 used. The Wren has a curious habit which does not seem 

 as yet to be satisfactorily explained, though most authors 

 have had something to say about it. Near any occupied nest 

 may generally be found one or more nests of imperfect con- 

 struction. The wide- spread belief in the country is that 

 these are built by the male bird for his own lodging at night, 

 and hence they are commonly known as " cocks' nests." 

 Then it has been suggested that they are built to be used as 

 houses of refuge in winter. Some persons imagine that 

 they have been begun with the intention of being completed 

 and occupied, but that owing to disturbance the builders 

 have forsaken their work *. Other writers, again, maintain 

 these nests to be the production of young birds without ex- 

 perience, but this seems the least plausible explanation that 

 has been offered. The fact of such imperfect nests being 

 frequent is unquestionable, however we may try to account 

 for them. 



* Mr. Hewitson says that he has never known a Wren's nest ' ' proceeded with 

 after having been once discovered and touched." This does not agree with the 

 Editor's experience, for he has found that, ordinary care being used, the Wren 

 does not seem to be much more jealous than other birds. Mr. Weir's testimony 

 is also to the same effect. He not only put his finger into the nest while it was 

 building, but even barred the opening with a slender leaf-stalk, which the birds 

 had to remove before they could gain admittance. Lord Walden tells the Editor 

 of a Wren's nest in his garden which was blown from its site in an artichoke 

 plant, was replaced by him, and reoccupied by the birds. 



