144 Mr. Peabody on the 
lodgings shall be provided for it; but if this is 
not done, it will build under the eaves of houses or 
in barns. Nothing in the vicinity of human dwell- 
ings troubles it but the appearance of a cat, which 
throws it into a vociferous passion, which does not 
subside till the hated enemy retires. It remains 
with us from April to September, and adds much 
to the attractions of summer by its animated and 
often brilliant song, which, like that of the vireos, is 
heard in the heat of day, when other birds are at 
rest. It has many quarrels with other birds, and, 
small as it is, maintains its rights, and perhaps 
something more. In the war of words it has no 
equal; and some other birds seem as if they gave 
up to it, not from fear or conscience, but merely to 
escape its perpetual and abusive din. 
The nest of the house-wren is formed with an 
outwork of twigs interlaced with care and skill. Be- 
hind this barricade is the true nest, made with grass 
and lined with feathers. The eggs, from six to nine, 
are of flesh color, inclining to red. The young, soon 
after they are fledged, seem to have all the playful 
activity of the older birds. It is rather singular, 
that these birds should bear the name of Troglodytes, 
signifying dwellers in caves, when they are 80 Te 
markable for constructiveness, that the male often 
amuses himself, while the female is sitting, with 
building another nest, which he has no thought of 
ever using. 
The Fmarsu-warkeR Marsh Wren, Trog lod ytes 
brevirostris, is a summer visiter, not uncommon, but 
