3i6 
ALLENS NATURALIST’S LIBRARY. 
often visit the verandah or dodge in and out among the creepers 
which skirt the window-frames, in search of the tiny insects on 
which it feeds. In its actions the Wren seems to resemble the 
I’imeliine birds of Tropical Asia, and to be out of place in the 
temperate and cold climates of the more northern countries. 
It creeps about in the shrubberies and thick undergrowth, 
frequents the bottoms of hedges, and searches diligently among 
the fallen trees, especially if the latter be covered with ivy. 
Occasionally it comes into view and perches on a fence to utter 
its song. This is a rattling performance, wonderfully loud 
for the size of the bird, which can always be recognised by its 
small size and by the way in which its tail is erected at right 
angles to its back. 
I he nest is placed in all kinds of situations, and it is curious 
to notice that a number of nests, apparently finished off with 
great care, are not inhabited by the birds. These “ cock ” 
nests, as they are called, do not appear to be lined with 
feathers like the real nesting home of the bird, and are 
supposed to serve as roosting-places. The number of them 
found in a small area, unlined, and never containing eggs, 
has suggested the idea that the Wrens desert a nest into which 
a finger has been inserted, and therefore many people have 
supposed that these were deserted nests. The other explana- 
tion, however, seems to be the more plausible one, that the un- 
lined nests are either roosting-places or are built to draw off 
attention from the real nest. 
Nest. — A large structure compared with the size of the little 
architects, composed chiefly of moss, but largely constructed 
of materials belonging to the surroundings of the nest. Thus, 
if a moss-grown situation be chosen, green moss is employed; 
if amongst dead leaves, then leaves are chosen, and thus, 
by the assimilation of the nest to the surroundings it es- 
capes detection, and is never easy to find, except when the 
bird builds in the ivy at the top of a small stump, or in the 
head of a savoy cabbage, or in some such conspicuous 
place. 
Eggs. — From four to six in number, sometimes as many as 
eight or nine, or even more. Ground-colour china-white, 
