LIFE OF MR. AND MRS. WREN. 
77 
the feathers and soft hairs and cotton and 
wool that they can, and with these they make 
a soft, warm bed for themselves and little 
ones ; for the birds do not agree with modern 
medical writers, and almost always use feather 
beds, and do not believe in hair mattresses, 
spring beds, or slats. 
Well, after the house is ready for occu- 
pancy, the couple move in, and Mrs. Wren 
soon lays from eight to twelve beautiful pink 
eggs, all of them covered with fine reddish 
dots, like dust powdered on them. 
Her husband is now all anxiety, and is so 
nervous and irritable, that if any of his neigh- 
bors commit the slightest trespass on his 
domains, he attacks him in the most furious 
manner, and soon drives him off in dismay. 
As soon as the little Wrens are hatched, the 
labor of both parents begins, and it is no light 
matter to provide food for twelve hungry 
mouths, especially as nothing but the most 
delicate and nutritious food must be given 
them ; so to work Mr. and Mrs. Wren go, and 
from morning until night do they have to 
