NATURAL HISTORY. 233 



It has hitherto been found impossible to keep the Nuthatch 

 in captivity. Its restless spirit and obstinate perseverance in 

 pecking at its prison speedily kill it ; and although several 

 have been placed in confinement, none have been recorded to 

 survive beyond the third day. The Rev. Mr. Bree relates 

 that the bill of a Nuthatch which he had taken in a common 

 brick trap was worn away to barely two-thirds of its usual 

 length by the unremitting attempts of the bird to escape from 

 its prison. 



The nest of this bird is usually made in a hole in a decayed 

 tree, and as is usual with nests made in holes, it is a very 

 rough fabrication, composed of a few dried leaves. The bird 

 is also remarkable from its habit of plastering up the hole 

 with mud when it is too large to suit it. The eggs are from 

 five to seven in number, of a whitish colour, spotted with red- 

 dish brown. 



Sub-family c. Mcnurincc. 

 TROGLODYTES. (Gr. TpwyAodurjf, a creeper into caves.) 



Farviilus (Lat. very small), the Wren. 



The WREN shares with the robin some immunity from 

 juvenile sportsmen. Although it may be fearlessly hopping 

 about in. the hedge, jerking its funny little tail, and playing 

 its antics just at the muzzle of the gun, few boys will fire at 



