THE WREN. 303 
in obtaining specimens as the naked black, whose noiseless and gliding steps 
enable him to steal upon it unheard or unperceived, and with a gun in his 
hand he rarely allows it to escape, and in many instances he will even kill it 
with his own weapons. 
“The food of the Menura appears to consist principally of insects, par- 
ticularly of centipedes and coleoptera. I also found the remains of shelled 
snails in the gizzard, which is very strong and muscular.” 
The nest of the Lyre-bird is a large, loosely-built, domed structure, com- 
posed of small sticks, roots, and leaves, and of an oven-like shape, the 
entrance being in front. The lining is warm and soft, being composed of 
downy feathers. 
The egg of this singular bird is quite as curious as its general form, and 
presents the curious anomaly of an egg as large as that of a common fowl, 
possessing all the character- 
istics of the insessorial egg. 
The general colour of the 
egg is a deep chocolate tint, 
marked with purple more or 
less deep in different speci- 
mens, and its surface is co- 
vered with a number of stains 
and blotches of a darker hue, 
which are gathered towards 
the larger end, as is usual in 
spotted eggs. 
WE are all familiar with 
the WREN. 
The long and harsh name 
of Troglodytes, which has 
been given to this bird, sig- 
nifies a diver into caves, and 
has been attributed to the 
Wren on account of its shy 
and retiring habits, and its 
custom of hiding its nest in 
some hollow or crevice where 
it may escape observation. 
The Wren is seldom to be 
seen in the open country, and 
does not venture upon any WREN.—( Troglodytes vulgaris.) 
lengthened flight, but con- 
fines itself to the hedge-rows and brushwood, where it may often be observed 
hopping and skipping like a tiny feathered mouse among the branches. 
lt especially haunts the hedges which are flanked by ditches, as it can 
easily hide itself in such localities, and can also obtain a plentiful supply 
of food. By remaining perfectly quiet, the observer can readily watch its 
movements, and it is really an interesting sight to see the little creature 
flitting about the brushwood, flirting its saucily expressive tail, and uttering its 
quick and cheering note. 
The voice of the Wren is very sweet and melodious, and of a more 
powerful character than would be imagined from the dimensions of the bird. 
The Wren is a merry little creature, and chants its gay song on the slightest 
encouragement of weather. Even in winter there needs but the gleam of a 
few stray sunbeams to set the Wren a-singing, and the cold Christmas season 
is often cheered with its happy notes. 
