86 JEtnuntu of tlie STrees 



With a frightened chirp the robin 

 spread his wings to fly, but too late. 



The same instant the pigeon-hawk 

 buried his talons in his ruby breast and 

 flew away to the wood with him. From 

 the top of a beech the hawk sent down a 

 shower of bright feathers torn from cock- 

 robin's gay breast, and the old elm by 

 the farmhouse knew the sweet songster 

 no more. 



Thus is the inquiry of the old nursery 

 tale brought back to us. ** Who killed 

 cockrobin ?'' Was it pigeon-hawk, who 

 found him maimed and helpless, or 

 Tommy, whose careless sling-shot first 

 blinded the robin and left him an easy 

 prey to all his enemies ? 



