ORDER PASSERKS. 43 



In the summer it remains in the woods where it constructs its 

 nest, near the ground, sometimes on the ground, and some- 

 times in the shelter of some rock, to which it attaches it. 

 This nest, of a spherical form, seems externally nothing but 

 an unformed heap of moss, which causes it easily to escape 

 search; but internally, it is arranged with great neatness. 

 It has but one narrow entrance, situated on one side, and 

 always diametrically opposite to the wind which most 

 usually prevails in the adjacent mountains. The female lays 

 nine or ten eggs, of a tarnished white, with a zone of reddish 

 points towards the gross end. It is not uncommon, in spring, 

 to find in their nests the young of mice or field-mice, who 

 have taken possession of them. 



At the approach of winter this pretty little bird quits the 

 woods, and draws near to tht habitations of men. It intro- 

 duces itself into the clefts of\ walls, where it may be seen 

 entering and coming out w\ h precipitation, incessantly 

 agitating its wings with a rapid i^ emulous motion, and always 

 holding its tail in an elevated posiv ion. It accompanies these 

 movements with a little cry constantly repeated. Its song is 

 also soft and piping, and the more agreeable from the general 

 rarity of feathered music during winter. The wren gives 

 more animation to his song in proportion as there is a greater 

 abundance of wind, and accompanies his singing with a little 

 vibration of the tail from right to left. 



The wren, as well as the red-breast, is one of the least 

 distrustful of our birds. It is naturally very curious and 

 inquisitive. The sight of man causes in it no fear. It suffers 

 itself to be approached very nearly, and will flutter for some 

 time along the hedges, at some paces in front of the traveller, 

 which would create a belief, that it was fond of preceding 

 him. It is true it is rarely pursued, and in many places the 

 people scruple, not only to kill it, but even to touch its nest ; 

 for the wren, as well as the red-breast, is held in a sort of 

 veneration by the lower classes, highly favourable to their 



