“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?”

[Illustration:  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 cocked 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