[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.
MODE OF TAKING.--If in winter, a white-throat trap is set in a place
much frequented by these birds, and meal-worms scattered within and
around it. In this the wrens will surely be caught. They may be
entrapped in autumn with spring traps and springes, by hanging
elderberries before; but, after every precaution, they generally
break their legs.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its sprightliness is pleasing, and its actions
gay and varied. It has a very powerful voice for its size, and its
song is continued throughout the year; it is soft, and mingled with
some notes of the canary, which are the more pleasing as they consist
of distinct loud tones always descending. Its call is _tzrr,
tzetzererr!_ I have never preserved one more than a year, but other
amateurs say they may be kept two or three.