THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
247 
and catching the small gnats that come in its way. 
It builds its nest on the ground among dead leaves 
and moss, with a covering at the top, of the same 
materials as those lying all around, so that it is im- 
possible to find it without watching one of the old 
ones to the nests/' 
Mr. Sweet likewise observes that they are easily 
tamed, and tells us of one that he caught in September, 
which was in three days after let out of the aviary into 
the room, to catch the flies, that were numerous at 
that season. After amusing itself for some time in 
catching flies, it began singing, and it did the same 
several other times when it was let out, and in a few 
days began to sing in its aviary. It soon became 
so familiar, that it would take flies out of the hand, 
and when out in the room, if a fly were held towards 
it, would fly up and take it immediately. Mr. 
Sweet adds, " that the note of this little bird is, when 
in full song, so loud and shrill, that its voice is 
plainly heard above the nightingale's, when both are 
in full song." 
In Wilson's American Ornithology, I find the 
following observations on the Winter Wren : — 
" This little stranger visits us from the north in 
