The Furze Wren. 



313 



in France, and appears indigenous to that country. In England, 

 it is found in Surrey, Kent, and some of the adjoining counties ; 

 it is also well-known in several parts of Devonshire, where 

 it is termed the Furze Chat, but is unknown in the Northern 

 and Midland counties. It builds its nest amongst furze bushes, 

 ■choosing the highest and thickest for this purpose, as ib is ex- 

 ceedingly shy and retiring, as well as cunning and secretive, in 

 its habits. The nest is very similar to that of the Common 

 Wren, and is built in a fork near the top of a bush. The hen 

 lays from four to five eggs, of a dirty white colour, speckled 

 with reddish brown or chocolate, more particularly at the 

 thickest end. 



Methods of Captuee. — These birds may be taken, in 

 winter time, in a Tit, or Nightingale trap, baited with meal- 

 worms ; or by placing limed twigs among the furze bushes 

 they are known to frequent. 



Food and Teeatment. — In a wild state, Furze Wrens subsist 

 on caterpillars, grasshoppers, moths, butterflies, beetles, and 

 grubs of all sorts. In confinement, they ought to be fed the 

 same as Whitethroats or Robins. They will eat bread and 

 milk and bruised hemp seed ; also ants' eggs and mealworms, 

 or pieces of raw or cooked meat, chopped fine, and mixed 

 with breadcrumbs. They are not particularly attractive birds, 

 and are kept more from curiosity, and the love of some- 

 thing rare, than for any good qualities they possess. 



REAEiNa THE YouNG. — Removc them from their parents 

 at the age of ten or twelve days, and feed in the way 

 recommended for young Robins or Whitethroats. 



DiSTiNauiSHiNG Maeks of Cook and Hen.— The male is 

 a little larger than the female, and the colours of his plumage 

 are more intense and decided. The hen is more dusky on 

 the back, wings, and tail, than the male, and her breast 

 and belly paler and duller in colour. 



Song. — The song of the Furze Wren is only a miserable ditty, 

 when compared with that of the Blackcap or Nightingale. The 

 bird appears to exercise much corporeal strength in its delivery, 

 as it jumps and frisks about, with its tail tilted high in the air, 

 its head erect, and its throat stretched to the utmost. As soon 

 as it espies anyone approaching, it ceases singing, and darts 

 suddenly and rapidly into the thickest of the furze. 



Points to be Obseeved in Judging. — The Furze Wren is 



