IVY WREN. ORNITHOLOGIST'S TEXT-BOOK. 205 



The haunts, habits, and general appearance of 

 this species are wholly distinct from those of our 

 feathered choristers which we have hitherto de- 

 scribed. Most of the true Sylviaclce (Warbler 

 family) are inhabitants of groves, or of furzy com- 

 mons, and extensive heathy wastes, whilst the Ivy 

 Wren frequents out-houses, heaps of wood, dead 

 fences, and other localities assimilating closely with 

 its own dusky colour. In such places it conceals 

 itself sedulously throughout the year, and is mostly 

 observed singly or in pairs. It is not remarkably 

 shy, but it is fond of seclusion, always keeping 

 close to the ground, flying low, and seldom or 

 never perching on trees. It is extremely expert in 

 threading the small interstices of the thick hedges 

 and tangled brakes which are its favourite, haunts, 

 and is, on that account, difficult to be seen, though, 

 when it does sally forth from its retreat, it often 

 admits of a very near approach. The bowing 

 of the head observable in some birds, may also be 

 seen in this, — not so commonly as in the Robin 

 Redbreast (Rubecula familiaris, Blyth*), but 

 much more frequently than in the Goldcrested 

 Kinglet ; it is most common in the breeding sea- 

 son, or rather when the males are in song, which 

 is, in fact, the greater part of the year. 



I am inclined to think that our tiny songster 

 pairs for life, having frequently observed the same 

 pair near a particular spot, in the depth of winter, 

 and, on shooting one of these, the surviver has been 

 seen hopping about the place alone, unceasingly 

 uttering a shrill mournful kind of note, as if wail- 

 ing for its deceased partner. It is probable that 

 many of our resident birds, as the Robin Redbreast, 



* I am at a loss to conceive why my talented friend, Mr. Blyth, 

 has lately rejected his name Rubecula familiaris for the absurd re- 

 petition contained in Erythaca rubecula. — N. W. 



