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A Wren's Adventure
Again, a nest built but not used by the first architect has been one of the curiosities of this year's garden. A robin built on a bank very early in the year ; but its optimism wilted ; and no eggs were laid. Two months and more later a wren observed the wasted effort and converted the open nest into a dome, laid some ten eggs and hatched as many young. While they were still in the ugly stage, a romping baby rolling down the bank dragged out the nest ; and the young lay scattered and the house in ruins. Hands, much clumsier than the wren's beak (the neatest beak in the list), replaced the nest and the young. The wren was undisturbed and continued to feed her family assiduously ; but the house never recovered. The bird did not, like the wasps, repair the damage, and it has been quite hard work putting back the young who tumble out. The work has been worth while. Some of the family at any rate are now fit to fly..
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