THE ROBIN. 



LONG before you are awake, the Robins have had 

 a morning meeting, sung a very jolly chorus, 

 visited two or three cherry trees, and by the time you 

 have breakfasted and come out to play, they are 

 taking a second meal on the law^ns. 



Watch one for a moment and then try to tell how 

 he looks. He is larger than a Sparrow, — nearly 

 twice as large ; his bill is longer, sharper, and is 

 bright orange in color. 



Robin's head is wholly black, not patched like that 

 of the Sparrow ; his back is brown, and his breast 

 much the color of your Jersey cow. 



Instead of squabbling and scratching in the middle 

 of the street, or flying off in flocks to houses or tree- 

 tops, he stands straight and dignified, his plump breast 

 showing clearly against the green grass, or runs a few 

 steps and then draws himself up stifliy again. 



Fruit is very dear to the Robin. Cherries in sum- 

 mer, strawberries in spring, and cedar berries in 

 winter. But when you see him on the lawns, he is 

 hunting for food which only a fish would care to 

 share with him. He braces himself on his feet and 

 pulls and pulls, till the poor w^orm he is seeking has 



