254 Wild Life in a Southern County 



alighted, weary from want of food or uncertain as to its 

 course. 



The golden-crested wren — smallest of the birds — 

 scarcely ever leaves the shelter of the hedges and trees. 

 The crest or top-knot is not exactly golden, but rather 

 orange ; and as the body of the tiny creature is dusky in 

 hue, the bright colour on its head shines like flame in con- 

 trast. By this ruddy lamp upon its head the wren may 

 be discovered hidden deep in the intricate mazes of the 

 thorn bushes, where otherwise it would be difficult to find 

 it. These wrens are usually in pairs ; I have seldom seen 

 one by itself. They are not rare, and yet are compara- 

 tively little seen, and must I think travel a good deal. 

 All the same, they have their favourite places ; there was 

 one hedge where, if the bird was anywhere in the neigh- 

 bourhood, I could feel sure of finding him. It was very 

 thick, and entirely of hawthorn and blackthorn, and divided 

 two water-meadows. 



