XV. 



THE WRENLINGS APPEAR. 



THE moment we entered the court I saw there 

 was news. My eyes being attracted by a little 

 commotion on a dogwood - tree, I saw a saucy 

 tufted titmouse chasing with cries one of the 

 wrens who had food in its beak. With most 

 birds this proclaims the arrival of the young 

 family as plainly as if a banner had been hung 

 on the castle walls. Whether the tit was after 

 the food, or trying to drive the wren off his own 

 ground, we could not tell, nor did we much care ; 

 the important fact was that babies were out in 

 the walnut-tree cottage. The food bearer went 

 to the nest, and in a moment came up the ladder, 

 so joyous and full of song that he could not 

 wait to get off his own tree, but burst into a 

 triumphant ringing " Whit-e-ar ! " that must 

 have told his news to all the world who had 

 ears to hear. 



The mother did not at once give up her 

 brooding, nor did I wonder when I peeped into 

 the nest while she was off with her spouse, and 

 saw what appeared to be five big mouths with a 



