248 
THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
the month of October, sometimes remaining with us 
all the winter, and is always observed, early in the 
spring, on his route back to his breeding place. In 
size, colour, song, and manners, he approaches 
nearer to the European wren {Motacilla Troglodytes) 
than any other species we have. During his resi- 
dence here, he frequents the projecting banks of 
creeks, old rocks, decayed logs, small bushes, and 
rushes near watery places : he even approaches the 
farm-house, rambles about the wood pile, creep- 
ing among the interstices, like a mouse ; with tail 
erect, which is his constant habit, mounted on some 
projecting pinnacle, he sings with great animation : 
even in the yards, gardens, and outhouses of the 
city, he appears familiar, and quite at home.'^ How 
feelingly does the author (Wilson) speak, when he 
alludes to the necessity of taking the lives of thos« 
innocent little creatures for the purpose of gaining a 
more intimate acquaintance with their formation ; 
he thus alludes to it : — " I have often regretted the 
painful necessity one is under of taking away the 
lives of such inoffensive, useful little creatures, merely 
to obtain a more perfect knowledge of the species ; 
for they appear so busy, so active and unsuspecting. 
