WREN LIFE 



like their most remote ancestors, flying into passions at noth- 

 ing, their whole bodies atremble with rage at the slightest 

 provocation. They will grow up to be just as loyal to those 

 they love — while their love lasts — and just as troublesome to 

 their enemies. They will be just as saucy, intrepid, jealous, 

 strategic, opinionated, active and musical as they, but any 

 one who is the least bit observing will see that each of them, 

 like his elders, has his own individuality; each has his own 

 characteristic way of flipping his tail, of chirping, of expreiss- 

 ing tenderness and of annoying his neighbors. 



As the season advances, mutual attachment between the 

 older pair dies out. Had we been more familiar with the 

 ways of wrens in general we would have known from the 

 beginning that theirs was a love destined to wane with the 

 season. 



Yet whatever their faults, it is with regret that we notice 

 coming into their voices the autumn cricket's tone, for it tells 

 us plainly that the time of their departure is near — ^that the 

 wander-thirst is upon them. When they leave, whether to- 

 gether or separately, they will journey by easy stages toward 

 the summer land of Mexico, where they will not only escape 

 the severity of our winters, but will have their voices fresh- 

 ened for another concert season among us. Our little wren, 

 like other singing birds, will leave us in the daytime — ^he 

 never travels at night. On his departure for that softer 

 clime, as we catch a farewell glimpse of his flashing, flitting 

 presence, his last reverberating warble will awaken in our 

 hearts an echoing trill, and a hope that in the coming spring- 

 time, if we encourage him to settle in the old home, by way 

 of recompense he will give us many a song. 



Though these may be sung to other mates in other nests, 

 and even though the renderings may be different, they will 



