A Ground Gleaner
THE HOUSE WREN
"We all know Jenny Wren!" cried the children. "The Farm is full of Jennies and Johnnies!"
"They build in bird-boxes," said Dodo.
"And in old tin cans, and water pots, and anything they find," said Rap.
"And Jenny does most of the work; if the can is very large she fills it full of sticks until there is only a cosy little corner left for the nest, for she is a very neat bird," said the Doctor, when he could be heard. "She keeps her house nice and clean, and is very industrious too, making a fresh nest for every new brood, which means a great deal of work, for Wrens often raise three families a season."
"But Johnny Wren works too, doesn"t he?" asked Nat; "he is always taking home bugs and things, and he sings as if he would split."
"Wrens live in woodpiles in winter," said Rap.
The Doctor laughed heartily at the hurry with which the children told their knowledge.
"Everybody has a bowing acquaintance with the House Wren," he said, "for they are seen everywhere through the United States, those that are citizens of the West being a trifle paler in color and more sharply barred than their easterly brothers, but all having the same habits; even the Rock Wren is as jolly and sociable as his house-loving cousins.
"But the Wren that Rap says lives in the woodpile in the winter is not our House Wren, but another member of the same family--the smallest of all, called the Winter Wren.
"He is a citizen of the far North, whence he follows the mountains down to Carolina, and he is chiefly seen when he visits the Eastern States in the winter--hence his name. But few who see him then have heard his ripple-song--one of the sweetest bits of our bird music."
"Hear Johnny Wren singing on the trellis, and his wife scolding at him all the time, too. I wonder why she does it?" said Nat.
"She is only making believe scold," said the Doctor, "because she has a quick temper and wants to say something, and cannot exactly sing.
Johnny and Jenny make a great fuss, but they are really very fond of each other and make the very best of citizens, eating no fruits and being officers in the guilds of Ground Gleaners and Tree Trappers."
"Look!" said Dodo, "Jenny is scolding and dancing about, and Johnny is singing away again. What is the matter with them, Uncle Roy?"
[Ill.u.s.tration: House Wren.]
"Did you never hear the "Wrens" duet"? That is what they are singing now. Listen, and I will tell you what they say in House Peoples language:
"_Johnny_ (keeping time with his wings): I"m jolly Johnny Wren, The busiest of men; For I sing and I clean house, too.
Though wife is such a bustler, "Tis I that am the hustler, For _I work_ when there"s _nothing to do_!
"And _I_ don"t care to talk, And _I_ daren"t take a walk, For Jenny"s such a jealous, j-e-a-l-o-u-s She!
"_Jenny_ (keeping time with her head): I"m thrifty Jenny Wren.
The foolish, lazy men Think they work if they sing all day.
If husband is a martyr, I"m a great deal, great deal smarter, For I _talk_ when I"ve _nothing to say_!
"And though I mind my work, I also prink and perk, For Johnny"s such a _f-a-s-cin-a-ting_ He!
"_Both_ (beating time with all four wings): _(She)_ Though you don"t care to talk-- _(He)_ We might both take a walk-- _(Both)_ For we are such a captivating WE!
_Exeunt,_ dancing on tiptoe along the trellis."
The House Wren
Length five inches.
Upper parts dark brown finely barred with black.
Under parts gray, washed with brown and very faintly banded.
Tail rather long (for a Wren"s), full of light and dark bars, mostly held c.o.c.ked up.
A fidgety little bird with a very merry song.
A Summer Citizen east of Indiana, and a Citizen south from the middle districts.
A Ground Gleaner and Tree Trapper.
THE LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN
"You must always wear your rubber boots when you go to look for the Marsh Wren," said the Doctor; "and you must be careful where you step, for this Wren knows where to put his nest safely out of the way of both House People and cats. He chooses a bunch of reeds, or a bush that is surrounded either by water or the treacherous green gra.s.s of bogs, and there weaves an oblong or globular nest from coa.r.s.e gra.s.s and leaves, with a little hole on one side for a door. This done, he goes to a short distance and appoints himself day watchman to his home. If a footstep touches the gra.s.s ever so lightly, he tells his mate of it and they flit off; and if any one thinks that by following the birds they will find the nest, they will be very much disappointed. Mr. and Mrs. Long-bill will lead them a will-o"-the-wisp dance; and when the House People are tired, bewildered, and very wet in the shoes, the clever birds will return home by a secret way, chuckling to themselves. You will know this little bird by his nervous Wren-like ways and jerking tail, even if you are not near enough to see his markings and long curving bill."
[Ill.u.s.tration: Long-Billed Marsh Wren.]
"But there are no marshy places near the Farm, so I"m afraid we shall never see him, except in the wonder room," said Nat.
"By and by when we go to the beach, where our river meets the sea, I will show you some nests. I speak of this Marsh Wren now so that you may remember it with the rest of this family of Mockers and Scolders."
The Long-billed Marsh Wren
Length about five inches.
Upper parts clear brown, with a long light line over the eye, and a patch of black-and-white streaks on the back; light and dark brown bars on tail and wings.
Under parts white, tinged with brown on the sides.
A long slender bill, with more of a curve than a House Wren"s.
Song something like a House Wren"s, but move bubbling and gurgling.
A Citizen of the eastern United States.
A Ground Gleaner.
CHAPTER XII