346 CEIITHIAD.E. 



live entirely on insects ; but the stomachs of the only two others 

 I have examined, contained each, in addition to such food, a few 

 seeds of the co mmo n pine {Pinus sylvestris ) : the latter specimens 

 were shot in the month of January. Wilson, in his American- Orni- 

 thology, mentions his having found the seeds of the pine-tree (of 

 course a different species from P. sylvestris) in the stomachs of 

 individuals killed in the United States, and likewise " fragments 

 of a fungus that vegetates on old wood." 



Like most other birds, this species is partial to building annu- 

 ally about the same place. In holes of the yard- wall at Castle 

 Warren, a pair built successively for the last five years. The 

 female was killed one season within that period, when she had a 

 nest. The first nest and eggs of this year (] 848) were taken 

 away, and a short time afterwards, a second nest was erected in 

 the wall about a foot higher up.* They were composed of dried 

 grasses and lined with feathers. 



Mr. MacgilUvray gives a very full and graphic description of 

 the creeper. Brit. Birds, vol. iii. 



THE COMMON WREN. 



Troglodytes Europceus, Cuv. 

 Motacitta troglodytes, Linn. 

 Sylvia „ Lath. 



Prevails throughout the island ; 



And though chiefly known as an inhabitant of gardens, planta- 

 tions and farm -yards, is found in summer and autumn far distant 

 from such localities, in the wild heathy tracts both of the low- 

 lands and mountain-tops. In similar places, it has been observed 

 by a sporting friend, and subsequently "by myself, in a fine grouse 

 district in Inverness-shire, where the vicinity even of the dwelling- 

 house is unfrequented either by the robin or the sparrow. 



The nest is generally composed of moss, and placed in hedges, 



*Mr. R. Warren, junr. 



