CHAPTER XLY. 



The Common Wren. 



Motacilla troglodytes, Lin. ; Le Troglodyte, Buf. ; Sylvia 

 troglodytes. Pennant. 



Description and Chaeacter. — The Common Wren is one of 

 the best known of our British birds^ and familiar to all people 

 whose peregrinations lead them among our country lanes and 

 into the interior of woods. It is pleasing to note its fussy- 

 actions, as it hops and jerks from spray to spray, or climbs, 

 creeper-like, from branch to branch, in eager pursuit of insects. 

 It is a most industrious and indefatigable bird, ever on the 

 move, and in the spring works with great assiduity, and dis- 

 plays much shrewdness, in fabricating its nest. It is wily 

 and suspicious, and, if it be observed when constructing a 

 domicile for its future offspring, and much curiosity is evinced 

 by the discoverer, will immediately leave off, forsake the 

 selected spot, and commence operations anew in a different 

 locality. 



The Common Wren is a most ingenious, industrious, and amus- 

 ing little bird, genial in its nature, and a general favourite 

 among all classes where it is known and understood. A fully- 

 grown specimen measures 3Jin. from beak to tail, the latter 

 being l^^in. long. The beak is very slender, and is dusky 

 brown at the upper part and yellowish white at the lower. 

 The iris is brown or hazel. The head, neck, and back, are 

 russet brown, crossed with obscure blackish brown lines. The 

 cheeks are dirty white, tinged with red ; over each eye is a 

 pale reddish white streak. The wings are dark brown, barred 



