WINTER WREN. 131 



have the pleasure of watching the motions of some fishes in sight. The 

 damp of the place produced a sudden dullness, and caused me to sneeze 

 aloud, when from beneath my feet there flew off" a Winter Wren. The nest, 

 which I soon found, was attached to the lower parts of the rock, and pre- 

 sented the same form and structure as that already described; but it was 

 smaller, the eggs, six in number, contained young far advanced. 



The motions of this interesting bird are performed with great rapidity and 

 decision. While searching for food it hops, creeps, and leaps about from one 

 spot to another, as if it derived pleasure from exercise. At each movement 

 it bends its breast downward, so as almost to touch the object on which it 

 stands, and by a sudden extension of its strong feet, aided by the action of 

 its half drooping concave wings, jerks itself forward, keeping its tail elevated 

 all the while. Now through a hollow log it passes like a mouse, now it 

 clings to the surface in various attitudes, suddenly disappears, but presently 

 shews itself by your side; at times it chirrups in a querulous rolling tone, 

 then emits single clear sharp chirps resembling the syllables ishick, tshick, 

 and again remains silent for a time. It will now and then reach the upper 

 branches of a small tree or a bush, by hopping and leaping from twig to 

 twig; in the course of this transit it will present its opposite sides to you a 

 score of times; and when at length it has gained the summit, it will salute 

 you with its delicate melody, and then dash headlong and be out of sight in 

 a moment. This is almost constantly observed during the spring season, 

 when more than ever its alertness is displayed. On all such occasions, how- 

 ever, whilst in the act of singing, its tail is seen to be depressed. In winter, 

 when it takes possession of the wood-pile, close to the husbandman's dwell- 

 ing, it will challenge the cat in querulous tones, and peeping out here and 

 there, as it frisks in security, wear out Grimalkin's patience. 



The food of the Winter Wren consists chiefly of spiders, caterpillars, and 

 small moths, as well as larvae. Towards autumn it eats small juicy berries. 



Having lately spent a winter at Charleston, in South Carolina, with my 

 worthy friend John Bachman, I observed that this little Wren made its 

 appearance in that city and its suburbs in December. On the 1st of January 

 I heard it in full song in the garden of my friend, who informed me that in 

 that State it does not appear regularly every winter, but is sure to be found 

 during very cold weather. 



The Winter Wren so closely resembles the European Wren, that I was 

 long persuaded of their identity; but a careful comparison of a great number 

 of specimens, has convinced me that permanent differences in colouring may 

 be pointed out, although still I am not by any means persuaded that they 

 are specifically different. 



