WRENS. 87 
when they are migrating, the golden-crowned do not 
sing, but have almost a constant chirp, much resembling 
that of the red-headed chipping bird; but in summer, at 
nesting time, the golden-crowned has a delightful song, 
fine and far-reaching, verging on the plaintive, but very 
sweet. 
All the wrens are useful. They are the friends of 
husbandry and horticulture, being entirely insectivorous 
in their habits. They delight us with their beauty, 
their cheerfulness and their sweet songs. Their virtues 
are all positive. They are harmless, neither driving 
away other birds nor destroying anything useful to 
man. If people had shown them half the favors they 
have shown the querulous, scolding, pugilistic, unmusi- 
cal and nearly useless English sparrow by preserving 
them from harm, and providing them with nesting 
places, we might now have the house wrens, at least, 
in abundance about our premises, objects of interest, 
and also sources of profit. 
