THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 249 
as to continue searching about the same twig, even 
after their companions have been shot down beside 
them. I have stood under the tree, motionless, to 
observe them, while they gleaned among the low 
branches, sometimes within a foot or two of my head." 
Having already said so much, and made so many 
extracts relative to the wren species, that I should 
almost fear I had tired the patience of my readers, 
but the more I say, the more I fancy to have left 
unsaid respecting these attractive birds, and as per- 
haps some may think them equally interesting, I will 
venture on a few more gleanings from my favourite 
Wilson. " The House Wren,'^ he tells us, "arrives in 
Pennsylvania towards the middle of April, and 
about the eighth or tenth of May begins to build its 
nest, sometimes in the wooden cornishes under the 
eaves, or in a hollow cherry-tree ; but most com- 
monly in small boxes, fixed on the top of a pole, 
in or near the garden, to which he is extremely par- 
tial, for the great number of caterpillars and other 
Jarvge with which it constantly supplies him. If all 
these conveniences are wanting, he will even put up 
with an old hat, nailed on the v>?eather-boards, with a 
small hole for entrance ; and if even this be denied 
