WRENS.— MANDRAKES. 
91 
He is a very great builder, also, is the wren. He seems to 
think, like that famous old Comitess of yore, Be&s of Shrewsbury, 
that he is doomed to build for his life. Frequently while his mate 
is sitting, he will build you several useless nests, just for his own 
gratification ; singing away all the time, and telling his more 
patient mate, perhaps, what straws he picks up, and where he 
finds them. Sometimes, when he first arrives, if not already 
mated, he will build his house, and then look out for a wife after- 
wards. It is a pity they should not stay with us all winter, these 
pleasant little friends of ours, like the European wren, who never 
migrates, and sings all the year round. It is true, among the 
half dozen varieties which visit us, there is the winter wren, who 
remains during the cold weather in some parts of the State ; but 
we do not see him here after the snow has fallen, and at best he 
appears much less musical than the summer bird. Our common 
house- wren is a finer singer than the European bird ; but he flies 
far to the southward, in winter, and sings Spanish in Mexico and 
South America. It is quite remarkable that this common bird, 
the house-wren, though passing North and South every year, 
should be unknown in Louisiana ; yet Mr. Audubon tells us such 
is the case. 
The mandrakes, or May-apples, are in flower. They are cer- 
tainly a handsome plant, as their showy white flower is not unhke 
the water-lily. Some people eat their fruit — boys especially — but 
most persons find it insipid. This common showy plant growing 
along our fences, and in many meadows, is said also to be found 
under a different variety in the hilly coimtries of Central Asia. One 
likes to trace these links, connecting lands and races, so far apart, 
reminding us, as they do, that the earth is the common home of all. 
