weather^ and like the Golden-Crested Wren, is frequently to 
be heard singing during* a fall of snow, and generally 
continues its lively note till late in the evening. It 
builds in hay-stacks, trees, and in the sides of banks. 
"The materials of the nest are generally adapted 
to the places if it is against the side of a hay-rick, it is 
composed of hay ; if against the side of a tree covered 
with white moss^ it is made of that material, and with 
green moss, if the tree is covered uith the same, or in a 
bank. Thus instinct directs it for security. The lining is 
invariably of featliers* 
The Wren does not begin the bottom of the nest first, 
which is usual with most birds, but first (as it were) traces 
the out-line against a tree, which is of an oval shape, and 
by that means fastens it equally strong to all parts, and 
afterwards encloses the sides and top, leaving only a small 
hole near the top for entrance." 
Its food is chiefly insects, in quest of which it runs up and 
down the sides of trees or banks, in the manner of the Tit* 
mouse ; it flies but a very short distance at a time, content- 
ing itself by flitting about from twig to twig, escaping 
observation principally by itn colours assimihiting with the 
ground it lights on ; which may be considered as a protec- 
tion wisely dispensed by Providence to the weak and more 
defenceless part of his creatures. 
