The old man from whom this story was heard said, that in winter time, when knitting straw ropes for thatching, he could get all the boys of the village to come to assist him, and keep him company, and this they did with cheerfulness on the understanding that the story of “The wren and his twelve sons” would be illustrated at the end. One after another of the boys sat on the floor behind him, and he having a hold of the straw rope was able easily to resist the strain till he choose to let go, then all the boys fell back and the laughter that ensured was ample reward for their labour. The fame of the wren for its forwardness and impudence is also illustrated by a story current in the south of Scotland, about Robin Redbreast having fallen sick, and the wren paying him a visit, and expressing great condolence when, after making his will, Robin dismissed her, saying, “Gae pack oot at my chamber door, ye cuttie quean.” In Gaelic the wren is also known by the name of _Dreòllan_, and _Dreathan-donn_, and the name as applied to human beings means a weakly, imbecile, trifling person, in whatever he takes in hand to do. All the other birds in the same manner have their own share of actions ascribed to them, and the manner in which several of them made a brag of their own young is amusing--particularly in Gaelic, in which the call ascribed to them is more capable of imitation, and particularly in the light of the manner in which the young of those who make the boast are looked upon. “Gleeful, gleeful,” said the Gull, “my young is the supreme beauty.” “Sorry, sorry,” said the Hooded Crow, “but my son is the little Blue Chick.” “Croak, croak,” said the Raven, “it is my son that can pick the lambs.” “Click, click,” said the Eagle, “it is my son that is lord over you.” (“_Glìtheag, glitheag,” ors an Fhaoilean, “’se mo mhac-sa an Daogheal Donn._” “_Gurra, gurra,” thuirt an Fheannag, “’se mo mo mhac-sa an Garrach Gorm._” “_Gnog, gnog,” ors am Fitheach, “’s e mo mhac-sa ’chriomas na h-uain._” “_Glig, glig,” thuirt an Iolaire, “’s e mo mhac-sa ’s tighearna oirbh._”) In the Highlands the young gull is called _Sgliùrach_ which is the regular name for a slatternly young woman. It is seen in the midst of a storm alighting in the hollows, and restfully gliding to the highest summits of the waves. The hooded crow’s fancy for its own young has passed into a proverb, “The hooded crow thinks its own impertinent blue progeny pretty” (_’S bòidheach leis an fheannaig a garrach gorm fhein_”). Of the Raven it is commonly said, that it is so fond of its victim’s eyes that it will not even give them to its own young. Its supernatural knowledge of where carrion is to be found amounts almost to instinct, and is among the vices (_Dubhailcean_) ascribed to the bard. The eagle can only fly from an elevated situation, from the difficulty of getting wind under its wings, and in this respect forms a great contrast to the little wren.