ioo American Birds 



I collected half a dozen fine fat worms a stock of provi- 

 sions that would take the mother two hours to gather. 

 Why are young birds so particular, anyhow? What dif- 

 ference does it make whether their dinner comes from the 

 mother's mouth or from some kindly disposed neighbor? 



" I'll just test the little wrens once more," I said to 

 myself, as I impaled two of the choicest grubs on a sharp- 

 ened stick. It was impossible for me to announce the 

 approach of this dinner with the soft little "Wink! 

 Wink! " of the mother, but I patted both the sleepy 

 birdies on the back and, rather hesitatingly, held up 

 my offering. There was hardly room to doubt its ac- 

 ceptance. Mercy! Such a reaching and stretching! I 

 could not divide up fast enough. Nor was one grub apiece 

 sufficient. Quiet was not restored till each wrenlet had 

 stored away two of the largest and fattest. 



For the first time the parent wrens seemed to realize 

 that I was actually of some use. The trying task of sat- 

 isfying five growing appetites was lessened to some de- 

 gree, and the busy parents took household affairs some- 

 what more easily the rest of the day. 



The next time I saw the wren family all the young 

 were scampering about in the bushes, following their pa- 

 rents hither and thither, earning their own livelihood, and 

 rapidly learning for themselves the arts of woodcraft. 



THE WREN FAMILY 



The Wrens are all dull brown or gray birds and fine singers. They 

 have long, slender bills and are generally found in low bushes and shrub- 

 bery where they hunt for worms and insects. In size they are from 

 four to six inches in length. They are fidgety and inquisitive and may 

 often be recognized by a tail that is tilted over the back. 



