THE WREN. 243 



parts it inclines to grey. Tbe tail of this bird is not, as is com- 

 monly the case with most other birds, in a straight line with the 

 back, but it rises considerably upwards, so that one of its distin- 

 guishing characteristics is a cocked tail. It is one of the smallest of 

 our native birds, being less than four inches in length ; it inhabits 

 England and Europe at large; it is found also in Asia ; it remains 

 in this country throughout every season. Builds a curious nest, 

 for an account of which see the Introduction ; it may, however, 

 be added here, that such is the instinctive providence of this 

 bird, its nest is generally adapted to the place against or under 

 which it is made; thus, although its usual structure is green- 

 moss, yet, if it build against the side of a hay-rick, it is composed 

 of hay ; if against a tree covered with white moss, it is made of 

 that material ; this is not, however, an invariable habit : for I have 

 known a wren's nest constructed of green moss at the edge of 

 the thatch of a house, the colour of which was very different 

 from the nest itself: something, doubtless, depends upon the 

 ease or difficulty with which materials can be obtained. Montagu 

 says that the lining is invariably feathers; this is not, I think, 

 correct; I believe when made with green moss, its lining is, 

 generally, of the same material. Eggs six, eight, or more, 

 whitish, with rusty spots. Feeds on insects. Sings the greater 

 part of the year. It has, besides, a peculiar note, which it often 

 repeats in the spring, similar to chit, chit, chit. 



The following lines were written many years since. 



TO A WREN, 



Which, for many years, built her nest behind an ash tree that overhung 



my garden. 



Little Warbler ! long hast thou 

 Perch'd beneath yon spreading bough; — 

 Snug, beneath yon ivied tree, 

 Thy mossy nest I yearly see, 

 Safe from all thy peace annoys — 

 Claws of cats or cruel boys. 



M 2 



