From whence himself does fly? He loves us not;
He wants the natural touch: for the poor wren,
The most diminutive of birds, will fight,
Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.”
Macbeth, Act iv. Sc. 2.
There are three statements here which are likely to be
criticised by the ornithologist. First, that the wren is the smallest of birds, which is evidently an oversight. Secondly, that the wren has sufficient courage to fight against a bird of prey in defence of its young, which is doubtful. Thirdly, that the owl will take young birds from the nest. As to this last point, see ante, [pp. 91–94].
Imogen has made mention of the wren, as follows:—
“I tremble still with fear: but if there be
Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity