The Wren. 153 
awaking the sleeping sentinel of the invaders, and 
apprising him of the approach of enemies. This is a 
sad tale for these poor birds, for they are persecuted 
through it most barbarously, as troops of peasants 
congregate together and revenge the perfidy of this 
ill-famed songster by taking its life, and hunting it 
for weeks before and up to Christmas Day. On the 
following day much the same practice exists as in the 
Isle of Man. 

