The Golden-crested Wren. 



given a most accurate drawing, is quite worthy of him. It is 

 always the same, swung like a little hammock from a branch, 

 and always hidden, it may be by leaves or a bunch of fir-cones. 

 The cordage by which it is suspended is of his own weaving, 

 and is made of the same materials as the nest, which are moss 

 and slender thread-like roots. In form it is oval, as you see, 

 with a hole for entrance ar the side, and is lined with the softest 

 down and fibrous roots. It is a lovely little structure, like a 

 soft ball of moss, within which the mother-bird lays from six to 

 a dozen tiny eggs, scarcely bigger than peas, the delicate shell 

 of which will hardly bear handling. The colour of the &gg is 

 white, sprinkled over with the smallest of dull-coloured spots. 



Mr. Jesse describes one of these lovely nests which was taken 

 from the slender branches of a fir-tree where it had been sus- 

 pended, as usual, by means of delicate cordage, secured to the 

 branch by being twisted round and round, and then fastened 

 to the edge or rim of the nest, so that one maybe sure that the 

 making and securing of these tiny ropes must be the first work 

 of the clever little artizan. The nest thus suspended sways 

 lightly to and fro with the movement of the bird. We cannot 

 see in our cut the slender ropes that suspend it; they are con- 

 cealed under the thick foliage ; but we can easily see what a 

 dainty little structure it is. 



Delicate and lovely as is this bird, and pleasing and harmless 

 as is his life, he yet possesses some curious traits of character, 

 as I said. For instance, though so small, with a body only an 

 inch long, he has, apparently, a wonderful conceit of himself, 

 and loves to be lord and master of creatures that will not dispute 

 with him, as not worth their while, or perhaps because there 



