Wren. PASSERES. TROGLODYTES. 197 
finished aperture near the top. The inside of this mansion 
then receives a warm lining of feathers. 
It is worthy of remark, that the external materials of the 
nest are always admirably adapted in colour to the situation 
it is to occupy. Thus, on trees over-run with ivy, the outer 
coat is entirely composed of the fresh and greener mosses ; 
but on a stump, or rock grey with lichens and withered grass, 
the nest will be found to be built either of those substances, 
or of others coinciding in general effect. In this secure de- 
pository it lays from six to eight eggs, of a yellowish-white, 
speckled, principally at the larger end, with reddish-brown. 
The young, if undisturbed, continue to return at roosting- 
time to the nest in which they were bred for a considerable 
time after they are able to fly, and provide for themselves. 
_ Invery severe winters, particularly such as are attended by 
great falls of snow, numbers of these birds perish, from the 
failure of their appropriate food. Under these circumstances, 
they retire for shelter into holes of walls, and to the eaves of 
corn and hay stacks ; and I have frequently found the bodies 
of several together in old nests, which they had_ entered for 
additional protection and warmth during severe storms. 
The food of the wren consists of various winged insects, of Food. 
worms, and of larve. Its flight is generally very low, and 
limited to short distances, and it seems to depend less upon 
that for safety, than on the facility with which it can creep 
from observation into small holes and crevices. 
PuateE 47. Fig. 5. Natural size. : 
Bill much curved, colour brown. Irides chesnut-brown. Gencral 
Head and upper parts of the body pale chesnut-brown, a 
inclining towards the tail-coverts to reddish-brown, and 
faintly marked with transverse bars of a deeper shade. 
Greater coverts and secondaries barred with blackish- 
brown. Greater quills barred with blackish-brown, and 
reddish-white. Over the eyes is a pale whitish or wood- 
brown streak. Under parts pale wood-brown. Legs 
