VARIETIES OE 'WRENS. 
to the top of the tall oak, larch, or fir-tree, he will yet have 
to creep to the extremity of the weak overhanging bough, 
amongst the leaves of which is secured the beautiful little ball- 
like nest, — a beautiful little house, even more snug and conifort- 
able than that of the common wren. It seems surprising that 
birds should only occupy these snug retreats during the warm 
months of the year, and trust to fortune to provide them with 
a warm corner in the winter. 
The golden-crested wren may easily be distinguished from his 
hen. The latter has much more grey about the body, and her 
poll-crest is of a more dingy yellow. Like the common wren 
she lays from six to eight eggs, perfectly white, and no bigger 
than an ordinary grey pea. 
Both as a fledgling and full-grown bird, the golden-crested 
wren should be treated exactly according to the directions 
already given in the case of hig meaner-clad brother. Humble 
little “ Jenny ” is, however, a much better singer, and keeps her 
health and temper whilst in confinement much better than he 
of the golden crest. 
Besides the wrens already mentioned, there are two others, 
the reed wren and the willow 7 wren. The first mentioned is the 
largest of the wren tribe. Its universal colour is brown, and it 
may easily be known from any other species of wren by the length 
of its beak, and the peculiar shape of its tail, which looks as 
though it had been trimmed and rounded with a pair of scissors. 
It frequents fens and other places where reeds abound, hence 
its name. As a cage bird it presents no great recommenda- 
tions. On the contrary, the wallow or wood wren is a little 
bird to be desired. He is a pretty fellow. His throat and beak 
are marbled with dark and light yellow, the wings and tail are 
of a dark brown, there is a streak of orange over each eye, 
and a tint of reddish grey on each side of the head. His 
size is between that of the common wren and the reed wren. 
In the autumn these birds congregate in vast numbers where 
willows abound, and about August they may easily be procured. 
Respecting the peculiar habits of the willow wren, and the way 
in which it should be treated, Bechstein says : — 
“ It feeds upon small insects and their eggs, and also eats red 
and black elderberries. If flies can be procured, it can be 
familiarised to the chamber, even adult ; its wings are not then 
clipped, and it is allowed to fly about the room ; it will eat fresh 
and dried ants’ eggs, and it will not reject the universal food, or 
crushed hemp-seed. It at once selects a place to perch in the 
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