88 HOUSE WREN. 
This little bird has a strong antipathy to cats; for, having frequent 
occasion to glean among the currant bushes, and other shrubbery in 
the garden, those lurking enemies of the feathered race often prove 
fatal to him. A box fitted up in the window of the room where I 
slept, was taken possession of by a pair of Wrens. Already the nest 
was built, and two eggs laid, when one day, the window being open, 
as well as the room door, the female Wren, venturing too far into the 
room to reconnoitre, was sprung upon by Grimalkin, who had planted 
herself there for the purpose, and, before relief could be given, was 
destroyed. Curious to see how the survivor would demean himself, I 
form the genus Troglodytes of moderns, are limited in numbers, but distributed 
over Europe, America, and Africa; their habits are nearly alike, and the colors of 
the plumage are so similar, that some species are with aieenlty distinguished from 
each other ; and both those now figured have been confounded with that of this coun- 
try, from which, however, the first differs, and the latter is still doubtful. The colors 
of the plumage are brown, with bars and crossings of darker shades, intermingled 
occasionally with spots, and irregular blotches of yellowish white. They make 
very commodious nests, with a single entrance ; all those with which we are ac- 
quainted are very prolific, breed more than once in the year, and lay at a time from 
twelve to sixteen eggs ; they are always to be met with, but never in such profusion 
as their numerous broods would Jead-us to infer if all arrived at maturity. That 
of this country, though not so tame as to make use of a ready-made convenient 
breeding-place, is extremely familiar, and will build close by a window, or above a 
door, where there is a constant thoroughfare. It roosts, during the night, in holes 
of banks, ricks, or in the eaves of thatched houses, and generally seven or eight 
individuals will occu y one hole, flitting about, and disputing, as it were, which 
should enter first. ‘These are beautiful provisions for their welfare, and the pro- 
portion of animal heat possessed necessarily by so small a bulk. Another curious 
partenler in the economy of these little birds, is the many useless nests which are 
uilt, or, as they are sometimes called by boys, cock nests. These are never built 
so carefully, or in such private and recluse situations, as those intended for incuba- 
tion, and are even sometimes left in an unfinished, half-built state. I have never 
been able to satisfy myself whether they were the work of the male bird only, or 
of both conjointly ; or to ascertain their use, whether really commenced with the 
view of breeding in them, or for roosting places. The generally-exposed situation 
in which they are placed, with the concealed spot chosen for those that have young, 
‘would argue against the former, and the latter would, perhaps, require a greater 
reasoning power than most people would be willing to grant to this animal. They 
may, per aps, be the first instinctive efforts of the young. Notwithstanding their 
sinall bulk, and tender-looking frame, they are very hardy, and brave the severest 
winters of this country ; driven nearer to our houses from the necessity of food, they 
seem to rejoice in a hard, clear frost, singing merrily on the top of some heap of 
inher or sounding, in rapid succession, their note of alarm, when disturbed 
by any unwelcome visitor. A kitty hunt, in a snow storm, used to be a favorite 
amusement with boys; and many a tumble was got in the unseen ruggedness of 
the ground when in pursuit. At any time when annoyed, a hole, or thick heap of 
sticks, will form a refuge for this curious little bird, where it will either remain quiet 
until the danger is over, or, if there is any under way, will creep and run, escaping 
at another sides in like manner, it will duck and dive in the openings or hollows 
of the snow, and at the moment when capture seems inevitable, will escape at some 
distant opening, disappointing the hopes of the urchin who already anticipated 
possession. : 
We must here mention, in addition to the already-described North American 
species, one figured by Mr. Audubon, and dedicated to an artist, who will be long 
remembered by the British omithologist, Troglodyles Bewickii. Mr. Audubon has 
killed three specimens of it in Louisiana, and observes, “In shape, form, color, 
and movements, it nearly resembles the great Carolina Wren, and forms a kind of 
link between that bird and the House Wren. It has not the quickness of motion, 
nor the liveliness of either -7shese birds.” — Ep. 
