BUSH WREN 149 
egos—eggs distinctly large for the size of the 
bird. Each pair of eggs resembled almost ex- 
actly the other pair, in each case also one of the. 
eggs differing considerably from its fellow. In 
both the ground colour was white, but whilst one 
was altogether clear of dot or blotch or hair like 
pencilling, the other was sparsely marked with 
strokes resembling in a general way squares and 
cubes. 
At the distance of only a few feet, many hours 
were spent pleasantly, if not profitably, speculat- 
ing as to the why and wherefore of the lives of 
these little Wrens and as to the enormous ter- 
restrial changes that has forced innovation upon 
such tiny creatures, The activities of the breed 
are altogether restricted to movements two or 
three feet from the ground. They. never stray 
more than a few yards from the tangle where 
safety lies. Even when close to his own nest, a 
proximity that endows even a timid breed with 
some sort of fortitude, I have watched the male 
wait and hesitate unable to harden his heart suffi- 
ciently to dare to make a forward move. The 
lives of the little harmless fellows are overshadowed 
by an enduring dread—the dread of the Robin. 
Passing from log to log, taking cover beneath each 
gloomy bole, they listen for the snap of its terrible 
mandibles; they cower before its swoop. Pro- 
gression therefore over their short Sabbath day’s 
