HOUSE WREN. 
333 
latter with materials of the same sort; and ultimately succeeded 
in raising a hrood of seven young, all of which escaped in 
safety. 
The immense number of insects which this sociable little bird 
removes from the garden and fruit trees, ought to endear him 
to every cultivator, even if he had nothing else to recommend 
him; but his notes, loud, sprightly, tremulous, and repeated 
every few seconds with great animation, are extremely agreea- 
ble. In the heat of summer, families in the country often dine 
under the piazza, adjoining green canopies of mantling grape 
vines, gourds, &c. while overhead the trilling vivacity of the 
Wren, mingled with the warbling mimicry of the Mocking- 
bird, and the distant softened sounds of numerous other song- 
sters that we shall hereafter introduce to the reader’s acquaint- 
ance, form a soul-soothing and almost heavenly music, breathing 
peace, innocence and rural repose. The European, who judges 
of the song of this species by that of his own Wren [M. trog- 
lodytes), will do injustice to the former, as in strength of tone, 
and execution, it is far superior, as well as the bird is in size, 
figure and elegance of markings, to the European one. Its man- 
ners are also different; its sociability greater. It is no under- 
ground inhabitant; its nestis differently constructed, the number 
of its eggs fewer; it is also migratory; and has the tail and bill 
much longer. Its food is insects and caterpillars, and while sup- 
plying the wants of its young, it destroys, on a moderate cal- 
culation, many hundreds a day, and greatly circumscribes the 
ravages of these vermin. It is a bold and insolent bird against 
those of the Titmouse or Woodpecker kind that venture to build 
within its jurisdiction; attacking them without hesitation, though 
twice its size, and generally forcing them to decamp. I have 
known him drive a pair of swallows from their newly formed 
nest, and take immediate possession of the premises, in which 
his female also laid her eggs and reared her young. Even the 
Blue-bird, who claims an equal, and sort of hereditary right to 
the box in the garden, when attacked by this little impertinent, 
soon relinquishes the contest, the mild placidness of his dispo- 
sition not being a match for the fiery impetuosity of his little 
