AMERICAN ROBIN, OR MIGRATING THRUSH. 339 



ner the common Fieldfare migrates at a late season from 

 the northern deserts of Siberia and Lapland to pass the 

 winter in the milder parts of Europe. The Robin has 

 no fixed time for migration, nor any particular rendez- 

 vous ; they retire from the higher latitudes only as their 

 food begins to fail, and so leisurely and desultory are 

 their movements, that they make their appearance in 

 straggling parties even in Massachusetts, feeding on win- 

 ter berries, till driven to the south by deep and inundat- 

 ing snows. At this season they swarm in the Southern 

 States, though they never move in large bodies. The 

 holly, prinos, sumach, smilax, candle-berry myrtle, and 

 the Virginian juniper now aiford them an ample repast in 

 the winter, in the absence of the more juicy berries of 

 autumn, and the insects and worms of the milder season. 

 Even in the vicinity of Boston, flocks of Robins are seen, 

 in certain seasons, assembling round open springs in the 

 depth of winter, having arrived probably from the colder 

 interior of the state ; and in those situations they are 

 consequently often trapped and killed in great numbers. 

 Towards the close of January, in South Carolina, the 

 Robin, at intervals, still tuned his song ; and about the 

 second week of March, in the Middle States, before the 

 snows of winter have wholly disappeared, a few desultory 

 notes are already given. As soon as the 10th of this 

 month, they may, at times, also be heard in this part of 

 New England. Early in April, however, at the close of 

 the jealous contests, v\^hich are waged with obstinacy, 

 they are only seen in pairs, and now, from the orchard or 

 the edge of the forest, deliver their simple thrilling lays, 

 in all the artless energy of true affection. This earnest 

 song recalls to mind the mellow whistle of the Thrush,* 

 which, in the charming month of May, so sweetly rises 



* TurdusmusicxiSjliiN, 



