HOUSE WREN'. 
187 
'll execution, it is far superior, as well as the 
p'’’lis in size, figure, and elegance of markings, to the 
^'iropeaii one. Its manners are also different; its 
. eiahiiity oreater. It is no underground inhabitant; 
j*hest is differently constructed, the number of its egp 
it is also migratory; and has the tail and bill 
longer. Its food is insects and caterpillars, and, 
, ”ll« sup'|)lying the wants of its young-, it destroys, on 
^•nodcrate calculation, many liundreds a-day, and 
' V circumscribes the ravages of these vermin. It 
* l*old and insolent bird against those of the titmouse 
r .^''Oodpecker kind that venture to build within its 
j ’^sdicfion; attacking them without hesitation, though 
p its size, and generally forcing them to decamp, 
[i"'*’' the bluebird,Who claims an equal, and sort of 
l,®’'cditary ri"ht to the box in the garden, 'i\ hen attacked 
jf'’this liitlelmpertiuent, soon relinquishes the contest, 
la? ‘"''d placidness of his disposition not being a match 
«* file fiery impetuosity of his little antagonist. With 
iip^i® l*i*^ OM'u species who settle and build near him, 
lias frequent squabbles; and when their respective 
j^'^ales are sitting, each strains his whole powers of song 
L®'eel the other. When the young are hatched, the 
and ))ress of business leave no time for disputing, 
'■'"'le it is that idlene.ss is the mother of mischief, 
'll??*® birds are not confined to the country ; they arc to 
h. ‘'Card on the to]is of the houses in the most central 
of our cities, singing with great energy. Scarce 
a .'“iise or cottage in the country is without at least a 
tp‘*' of them, and sometimes two ; but unless where 
is a large garden, orchard, and numerous oub- 
’’Csh®*’ 
“nit' ® idle same spot, on ing to their party disputes 
lj( I jealousies. It has been said, by a friend to this 
San that “ the esculent vegetables of a ivhole 
„f deii lu.ay, perhaps, be preserved from the depredations 
tp^'^Perent species of insects, by ten or fifteen pair of 
small birds and probably they might, u cre the 
Baktos’s Fraijmmts, i, p. 22. 
