. Crusoe's Island; a bird-hunter's story . t long, seeking to hide himself under atuft of grass from the assaults of the wrens. Goingto their assistance, he drew the snake out, when theywere upon it at once, striking it right and left, uponthe head and tail alternately, as opportunity offered,obliging it to take refuge wherever it could. They seemed to pay no attention to the presenceof the planter, but continued to strike at it whenwithin a few feet of his hand ; and after they haddispatched it they retired to a near fence and pouredout their triumph in an ecstasy of song. The wren is noted f
. Crusoe's Island; a bird-hunter's story . t long, seeking to hide himself under atuft of grass from the assaults of the wrens. Goingto their assistance, he drew the snake out, when theywere upon it at once, striking it right and left, uponthe head and tail alternately, as opportunity offered,obliging it to take refuge wherever it could. They seemed to pay no attention to the presenceof the planter, but continued to strike at it whenwithin a few feet of his hand ; and after they haddispatched it they retired to a near fence and pouredout their triumph in an ecstasy of song. The wren is noted for its cleanly habits, removingfrom its nest all refuse after each brood is sooner is the nest cleared of one litter than incu-bation begins again, four eggs being laid at each sit- 128 CRUSOES ISLAND. ting. Its food is mainly insects, and it particularlydelights in the pursuit of such venomous things asthe scorpion, upon which it darts with rapidity, sepa-rates its tail from the body, and then takes both por-tions to its Combat between Wrens and Whipsnake. When this little bird came to take up his quarterswith me I knew that I had a tenant for life, for hehas been known to reside in a house during the lifeof its oldest inmate. He was welcome, not only be-cause he and his sprightly mate kept the house ridof poisonous insects, but for his song and his cheer-ful company. During those long days of rain, whenI was held within the house, sitting by my fragrantfire, my diminutive companions sat with me, perched I LIGHT THE FRAGRANT FIRE. 129 upon my chair-back or on tlie table, treating me tofrequent bursts of song; and tlieir attitude of trustfulfrieiidliness was most touching. They viewed withmistrust the frequent intrusion of the mocking birds,and the parrots they positively hated, scolding themwith ardor, but always keeping out of their way. In this time of rain, as Crusoe says, I foundmuch Employment, and very suitable also to theTime, for I found occasion for
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidcrusoesi, booksubjectbirds
