THE WREN. 197 



alighting on the basement branches, and then ascending by a succession of jumps until it 

 reaches the top, when it instantly darts off to another of its play-grounds. 



' ' The stomachs of those I dissected invariably contained insects, with scarcely a trace of 

 any other material. Now, collectors of insects know that gravel-pits and sandy holes afford 

 them great treats, and it appears to me that one, if not the principal use of the excavations 

 made by this bird, is to act as a trap for unwary coleopteras and other insects, which, falling 

 in, cannot be again rescued, and are therefore easily secured." 



The nest of Albert' s Lyre-bird is like that of the preceding species in general shape, but 

 is almost wholly composed of long and slender twigs, and presents a most curious appearance. 

 Specimens of this structure may be seen in the British Museum. The nest resembles nothing 

 so much as a large round mass of loose sticks, into which some giant had thrust his foot and 

 left the impression of his shoe. The hollow of the nest is, in fact, a kind of cave on a small 

 scale, domed over by the sticks as they lie crossing each other in all directions. 



We are all familiar with the Ween, "the king of all birds," as he is termed in ancient 

 rhyme, his title to royalty resting on his defeat of the eagle in upward flight. The story runs 

 that the birds assembled to choose a king, and that the election should fall on the bird who 

 soared the highest. Up sprang all the birds into the sky, but highest of all towered the eagle, 

 who, after mounting till his wearied wings could beat no more, proclaimed himself the sover- 

 eign of the birds. But all unperceived, the little Wren had been quietly perching between 

 his shoulders, and as soon as the eagle ceased to mount, the Wren sprang into the air, and, 

 rising on tiny pinion far above the wearied eagle, twittered forth the victory of wit and intel- 

 lect over bulk and physical strength. 



The long and harsh name of Troglodytes, which has been given to this bird, signifies 

 a diver into caves, and has been attributed to the "Wren on account of its shy and retiring 

 habits, and its custom of hiding its nest in some hollow or crevice where it may escape obser- 

 vation. The Wren is seldom to be seen in the open country, and does not venture upon any 

 lengthened flight, but confines itself to the hedge-rows and brushwood, where it may often be 

 observed hopping and skipping like a tiny feathered mouse among the branches. It especially 

 haunts the hedges which are flanked by ditches, as it can easily hide itself in such localities, 

 and can also obtain a plentiful supply of food. By remaining perfectly quiet, the observer 

 can readily watch its movements, and it is really an interesting sight to see the little creature 

 flitting about the brushwood, flirting its saucily expressive tail, and uttering its quick and 

 cheering note. 



The voice of the Wren is very sweet and melodious, and of a more powerful character than 

 would be imagined from the dimensions of the bird. The Wren is a merry little creature, and 

 chants its gay song on the slightest encouragement of weather. Even in winter there needs 

 but the gleam of a few stray sunbeams to set the Wren a-singing, and the cold Christmas 

 season is often cheered with its happy notes. While skipping among the bi'anches, the Wren 

 utters a continuous little twitter, which, although not worthy of being reckoned as a song, is 

 yet very soft and pleasing. 



The nest of the Wren is rather an ambitious structure, being a completely domed edifice, 

 and built in a singularly ingenious manner. If, however, the bird can find a suitable spot, 

 such as the hole of a decaying tree, the gnarled and knotted branches of old ivy, or the over- 

 hanging eaves of a deserted building, where a natural dome is formed, it is sure to seize upon 

 the opportunity and to make a dome of very slight workmanship. The dome, however, always 

 exists, and is composed of non-conducting materials, so that the bird always contrives to 

 insulate itself and its young from electrical influences. It is a very singular fact, that a Wren 

 will often commence and partly build three or four nests in different localities before it settles 

 finally upon one spot. Some persons have supposed that these supplementary nests are built 

 by the parent bird as hoiises for its young after they have grown too large to be contained 

 within the house where they were born, while others have suggested that they are experi- 

 mental nests made by the inexperienced young while trying their 'prentice beak in the art of 

 bird architecture. 



