334 ZOOLOGY. 
almost impossible the body of the bird could be admitted; within this, is a 
layer of fine dried stalks of grass, and lastly feathers. The eggs are six cr 
seven, and sometimes nine, of a red purplish flesh color, innumerable fine 
grains of that tint being thickly sprinkled over the whole egg. They 
generally raise two broods in a season, the first about the beginning of 
June, the second in July. 
“This little bird has a strong antipathy to cats; for having frequent 
occasion to glean among the currant bushes and other shrubbery in the 
garden, those lurking enemies of the feathered race often prove fatal to 
him. A box fixed up in the window of the room where I slept, was taken 
possession of by a pair of wrens. Already the nest was built and two eggs 
laid, when one day the windows being open, as well as the room door, the 
female wren venturing too far into the room to reconnoitre, was sprung 
upon by grimalkin, who had planted herself there for the purpose, and 
before relief could be given was destroyed. Curious to see how the 
survivor would demean himself, I watched him carefully for several days. 
At first he sang with great vivacity for an hour or so, but becoming 
uneasy, went off for half an hour; on his return he chanted again as before, 
went to the top of the house, stable, and weeping-willow, that she might 
hear him, but seeing no appearance of her, he returned once more, visited 
the nest, ventured cautiously into the window, gazed about with suspicious 
looks, his voice sinking to a low melancholy note, as he stretched his little 
neck about in every direction. Returning to the box, he seemed for some 
minutes at a loss what to do, and soon after went off, as I thought, 
altogether, for I saw him no more that day. Towards the afternoon of 
the second day, he again made his appearance accompanied by a new 
female, who seemed exceedingly timorous and shy, and who, after great 
hesitation, entered the box. At this moment the little widower, or bride- 
groom, seemed as if he would warble out his very life with ecstasy of joy. 
After remaining in about half a minute, they both flew off, but returned in 
a few minutes, and instantly began to carry out the eggs, feathers, and 
some of the sticks, supplying. the place of the two latter with materials of 
the same sort, and ultimately succeeded in raising a brood of seven young, 
all of which escaped in safety.” 
Several other species of wrens inhabit America, most of which live in 
the woods and do not partake of the sociable character of the house-wren. 
The European: wren is of the same description in some measure as the 
latter, though it builds its nest in low bushes near the ground. It does not 
appear to be so great a favorite as the American house-wren. 
In this sub-family the lyre bird of Australia, Menura superba (pl. 102, 
fig. 14), is classed. It is remarkable for the singular beauty of its long 
tail. Australia is its peculiar country, in which it appears to prefer the 
woods upon the sea-coast, though it has been met with in those of the 
interior, living habitually upon the ground, and constructing its nest upon 
a projecting rock, or the stump of a tree. Its food consists of insects 
which are obtained by scratching amongst the fallen leaves. 
Several genera, comprising about forty species, of the birds of this: 
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