64 
Wild Birds Useful amd Injurious. 
stages, some of which they capture on the wing. In gardens 
they may often be seen picking innumerable aphides from the 
fruit trees, hopping about in a peculiarly gentle manner, and 
examining the leaves with great assiduity. They also render 
valuable protection to forest trees, for they feed largely on 
destructive leaf-rolling caterpillars, including no doubt those of 
the beautiful little green oak-moth, which at times is so abundant 
that the oak-trees are absolutely stripped of their foliage by its 
ravages. If these small warblers ever touch fruit, it is certainly 
exceptional, and for practical purposes it is safe to say that 
the benefit derived from their presence is not in the least 
degree detracted from by any loss of garden produce. 
The Wren. 
The Wren ( Troglodytes pcvrvulus') is too well known to require 
description, and with regard to its local names it need only be 
said that by common consent some such prefix as “Jenny” or 
“ Kitty ” is applied to this cheery little favourite. The upright 
position (fig. 3) in which it elects to carry its tail gives it a very 
Fra. 3. — Wren, Troglodytes parvulut. 
pert appearance, and at once distinguishes it from other small 
birds. Its lively song is an extraordinary production for the 
size of the bird, and is uttered during the greater part of the 
year — even in hard frost. In such weather the wren endeavours 
to keep itself warm at night by roosting in company with 
