260 



VERTEBRATES 



their ofiFspring in a state of utter destitution. This, however, wm 

 not long permitted to continue, for the chirping of the young birds 

 attracted the attention, and excited the compassion of a wren ; 

 which, since that period, adopted the nestlings, and was daily en- 

 gaged in rearing and feeding them, with the affectionate kindness 

 and unremitting assiduity of a parent bird." 



The nest of the Wren is built in any convenient cranny ; 

 an ivy-covered tree, the thatch of a barn, or a warm scarecrow, 

 are all used by this fearless little bird. The nest is usually of an 

 oven-like shape, always covered on the outside with some material 

 resembling the color of the objects round it, such as green moss 

 if built among ivy, or brown lichen if built on a rock or in the 

 fork of a withered branch. The eggs are six or eight in number, 

 white, speckled with reddish brown. 



THE GAPING-BILLED PERGHERS. 



The Swallow. — There are thirty-seven species, chiefly 

 distinguished by their color. The voice is a peeping sound, the 



The SwaUow. 



predominant color black, the sight quick, and in its flight very 

 unequal. It builds its nest of clay. Often a considerable number 



