96 



THE WREN. 



This bird, with the exception of the golden- 

 crested wren, is the smallest of the feathered 

 race that inhabits Great Britain, and when 

 seen creeping about old walls and hedges, 

 bears a greater resemblance to a mouse 

 than a bird, in its actions. The wren is 

 about three inches and a half in length ; 

 the bill and legs are of brownish horn 

 colour; the breast is of a dingy white, 

 and the back, wings, belly, and tail are of a 

 clear brown, marked with double narrow 

 wavy lines, alternately of a paler and darker 

 colour. 



During the Winter season, the wren is 

 frequently seen in the neighbourhood of 

 farm-yards and out-houses, where it sings 

 its song till late in the evening, and often 

 during a fall of snow. *' In the Spring it 

 betakes itself to the woods, where it builds 

 its nest on the ground, or in a low bush, 



