134 
HOUSE WREN. 
feathered race often prove fatal to him. A box fitted up in 
the window of the room where I slept, was taken possession 
of by a pair of Wrens. Already the nest was built, and two 
eggs laid, when one day, the window being open, as well as 
the room door, the female Wren, venturing too far into the 
room to reconnoitre, was sprung upon by grimalkin, who had 
planted herself there for the purpose ; and, before relief could 
be given, was destroyed. Curious to see how the survivor 
would demean himself, I watched him carefully for several 
days. At first he sung with great vivacity for an hour or so, 
but, becoming uneasy, went off for half an hour ; on his return, 
he chanted again as before, went to the top of the house, 
stable, and weeping willow, that she might hear him; but 
seeing no appearance of her, he returned once more, visited 
the nest, ventured cautiously into the window, gazed about 
with suspicious looks, his voice sinking to a low melancholy 
note, as he stretched his little neck about in every direction. 
Returning to the box, he seemed for some minutes at a loss 
what to do, and soon after went off, as I thought, altogether, 
for I saw him no more that day. Towards the afternoon of 
the second day, he again made his appearance, accompanied 
with a new female, who seemed exceedingly timorous and 
shy, and who, after great hesitation, entered the box ; at this 
moment the little widower or bridegroom seemed as if he 
would warble out his very life with ecstasy of joy. After 
remaining about half a minute in, they both flew off, but 
and run, escaping at another side ; in like manner, it will duck and dive in the 
openings or hollows of the snow, and at the moment when capture seems 
inevitable, will escape at some distant opening, disappointing the hopes of the 
urchin who already anticipated possession. 
We must here mention, in addition to the already described North American 
species, one figured by Mr Audubon, and dedicated to an artist, who will be 
long remembered by the British ornithologist, Troglodytes Bewickii. Mr 
Audubon has killed three specimens of it in Louisiana, and observes, “ In i 
shape, form, colour, and movements, it nearly resembles the great Carolina 
Wren, and forms a kind of link between that bird and the House Wren. It has 
not the quickness of motion, nor the liveliness of either of these birds.” — £ d. 
