WREN.
TROGLODYTES VULGARIS.
Till; HE arc few parts of the British Islands in which this diminutive species is not well known. The name of
Jenny Wren is almost as familiar in most localities as that of Cock liohin. Bike the latter, the Wren (in England
nnd Scotland at all events) is exempt from the persecution that is not unfreipicntly inflicted on other small
hirds. Even the juvenile members of the population appear lo have a respect for their uesls ; and it is but
seldom that their eggs or young arc molested. Iu some country districts, particularly in East Sussex, I
remarked it was considered uulueky even to touch their nest, the general impression being that if only a finger
was inserted the structure would be deserted.
I have now and then recognized this active little bird in the must exposed situations, where I should never
have looked for or even expected to find it unless I had aeeidcutuBy become aware of its presence. On a
rough and stormy day early in June 1S7S, I made an attempt to cross the hills from Invcrncss-shire into one
of the neighliourmg counties, but, owing to the force of the wind, wliich had rapidly increased into a perfect
hurricane, was compelled to turn back before half the journey was accomplished. While sheltering from a
blinding squall behind some slabs uf rock near the entrance of the pass, my attention was attracted by the shrill
notes of the consequential little songster, who was strutting up and down on a large block of stone. Heavy
drops of rain and sleet pattered on the rock; but for a time he kept his porftMM in defiance of the storm. At
last a furious gust of wind, which, as it howled through the erags near the summit of the cliffs, dislodged several
massive splinters of granite, came roaring duwn the glen, and literally swept the tiny mite from his perch.
A few minutes later, when the main force of the squall had passed over, he was singing again as gaily as ever
on the dripping stones. The loudness of the notes and the distance at which they were audible were somewhat
astonishing considering the size of the performer. On other occasions I have found this species located far up
among the hills, where heather, coarse grass, and a few moorland plants were the only covering to the steep
mountain-side. On the approach of winter, I believe these birds betake themselves to more sheltered quarters
on the low ground. 1 cannot call to mind having noticed a single specimen at any elevation on the hills when
the country was covered with snow.
During the cold nights of winter, Wrens commonly collect together at roosting-time for warmth. Shortly
before dusk 1 have repeatedly watched as many as eight or ten Hying, one after another, into a hole in a hayslack
or the thatch of an outhouse.
The liahits of this species, as well as its manner of mating, have been so accurately described by several
writers, and are so generally well known, that any description 1 could give would be superfluous.