The song of the present species is somewhat similar to that of the last, but is more shrill and chattering; some people prefer it to that of the latter species, but I do not, as it wants some fine deep notes that the other possesses: it is also an imitative bird, its song being intermixed with the call of the sparrow and parts of the songs of other birds. Its food is precisely the same as that of the last species; and in confinement the treatment for both must be exactly alike. THE WREN. [Illustration] Motacilla Troglodytes, LINNÆUS; Le Roitelet, ou Troglodite, BUFFON; Der Zaunkönig, BECHSTEIN. This, except the rufous chiff-chaff and the gold-crested wren, is the smallest bird of our climate. It is only three inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures one and a half. The beak is five lines, rather curved at the point, dusky above, yellowish white below, and yellow within; the iris is hazel brown; the shanks are seven lines high, and greyish brown; the upper part of the body is dusky rust brown, with indistinct dark brown streaks across. The female is smaller, of a redder brown, and confusedly streaked across; the feet are yellowish. HABITATION.--When wild it is found all over Europe, and particularly frequents mountainous and woody places. It does not quit us, but remains in winter, as in summer, near our dwellings. In the house, on account of its liveliness, it is given rather a large cage, the bars of which should be very near together. If allowed to range it may easily escape through small openings, as it is very fond of penetrating such crevices. FOOD.--At liberty, it consists throughout the year of small insects, which it seeks in winter in barns, stables, cellars, holes in walls, and piles of wood. In autumn, however, it will eat both unripe and black elderberries. As soon as it is brought into the house it must be plentifully supplied with meal-worms, flies, elderberries, and then gradually add nightingales' paste, which will soon become its ordinary food. It is only by adopting this method that I have been successful in preserving one of these birds. BREEDING.--Any nook appears to suit the wren to build its large nest in; which may be found in a hole of a tree, amongst the roots, under a roof, or a cavity under ground; every place is suitable, provided the nest can be concealed. This is oval, covered with moss on the outside, and lined with feathers and hair. It has an opening at the top or side to go in and out by. The female lays from six to eight pretty little white eggs, speckled with red. The young ones are rusty red, spotted with black and white. They may be reared on ants' eggs, adding, as soon as they can fly, the universal paste; but they always prefer ants' eggs.