This is a very variable bird in its colours, some being of a very pale
colour, and others altogether as dark, and those that are pale one
season frequently become dark the ensuing one. It is a curious little
lively bird, known often by the name of reed wren. It generally makes
its appearance with us the beginning of April, and leaves us in
September. Its early or late departure seems to depend a good deal on
the warmth or coolness of the seasons. It is a very merry bird, almost
continually singing, and will sing by night as well as by day, sitting
amongst the reeds, or in some bush or tree near the water, where it
feeds on the gnats and other insects that infest moist situations. It is
very fond of flies, spiders, small caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers,
crickets, and many other insects, and will swallow a larger one than
could be imagined for so small a bird. In confinement it will feed
readily on the general food, and is also very fond of the yolk of an egg
boiled hard, so that it may be crumbled on the top of the other food, or
put in the cage in an empty egg-shell. It should also be supplied with a
few insects occasionally, such as flies, spiders, small caterpillars,
moths, or butterflies. Being an inhabitant of the sides of ditches and
rivers, it is very partial to washing, which it must not be allowed to
do in winter, or it will wash itself until it is so weak that it can
never recover.