56 THE SWALLOW. 



ble, a pair of wrens were observed to come out of it, 

 and, after giving themselves a few airs of importance, 

 and triumph, flew away. The Martens took this 

 opportunity'of returning to the cage, but their stay 

 was short, for the wrens came back in a few minutes, 

 and drove them away. 



This squabbling for the right of possession, contin- 

 ued most of the day, but on the following morning, 

 when the wrens quitted the cage, the Martins instantly, 

 and as though they had before agreed what to do, en- 

 tered it, and went to work with all their might, to 

 break up'their nest. It might have been thought, that 

 out of spite to the wrens, they intended to destroy 

 their nest, so that it should be of no use to them. But 

 this did not prove to be any part of their plan. Hav- 

 ing broken up the nest, they began to pile up the pie- 

 ces, so as to fill the door of their cage ; and such was 

 the ingenuity and industry with which this was done, 

 that it was soon made proof against the entrance of 

 their little enemies. The Martens stood inside, and 

 when the wrens came, they tried to force a passage, 

 but found the place too strong for them. For nearly 

 two days did this heroic pair defend themselves with- 

 out a mouthful of provisions, while the wrens on the 

 outside pressed the siege with great vigour, trying to 

 beat down their works, so as to gain an entrance. 

 Finding, at last, that their force w r as not sufficient for 

 such an enterprise, they abandoned the place, and left 

 the Martens in possession of their property, though 

 somewhat injured by the war. 



