HIE KEDliKEAST. 1G7 



sagacious and inlcUigcnt look, its apiDoaranco when other birds arc rare, and its confiding 

 disjDosition, have made it an universal favourite among all classss and of every age. 



This bird is an early builder, usually selecting a hollow in a grassy or moss-covered 

 bank in which to build its nest. Turner, an English naturalist of the sixteenth eenturj% 

 gi\"cs a quaint and interesting account of what ho supposed to be the habits of this bird. 

 '■ Tho robinet," ho saj's, " which hath a red breast both in summer and in winter, 

 nestleth as far as possible from towns and cities in the thickest copses and orchards, after 

 this manner. "When she hath found manj' oak leaves, she constructeth a nest, and when 

 Iniilt, covcreth it in v.-ith arch work, leaving only one wav for entrance, for which 

 I^urpose she buildeth with leaves a long porch before the door-way, the which, when 

 going out to feed, she covcreth up with leaves. These things," he adds, as if somewhat 

 doubtful of their strict accuracy, " which I now write, I observed when a boy, though 

 I do not deny that she may indificato otherwise, and if any one curious in such matters 

 h;',tli observed her build diffei-ently, it will be a gratification to me to learn the same ; I 

 have related candidl}^ that which I have seen."* 



This bird seems to have little instinctive fear of man ; it is the labourer and gardener's 

 companion ; it attends him at his work ; hops around his feet, and almost under his 

 spade, and collects the insects he tui-ns up with much' confidence. It even accompanies 

 hiui at his meals, and picks up everj^ crumb that falls, with apparent assurance of 

 security. In the winter, it enters our houses, and becomes, as it were, one of the family. 

 Addison, in the " Sj^ectator," No. 85, attributes much of the respect paid to it to the old 

 baliiid of " The Children in the Wood ;" andience Isaac Walton denominates it, "The 

 Honest Robin, that loves mankind both dead and alive." Collins also introduces it in 

 the dirge in Cymbeline : — 



The redbreast oft, in crcning liours, 



Shiill kindly lend his little aid, 

 AVith Iioary moss and gathered flowers, 



To deck the ground where thou art laid. 



Indeed most of our poets have suiig Its- praises, but none more pleasingly than one of 

 humble rank, the faithful old servant, John Jones. 



Sweet social bird, with breast of red, 



How prone's my heart to favour thee ! 

 Thy look oblique, thy pryiug head, 



Thy gentle affability : 



Thy cheerful song iu winter's cold. 



And when no other lay is heard, 

 Thy visits paid to young and old, 



Where fear appals each other bu-d. 



Thy fi-iendly heart, thy natiu'o mild. 



Thy meekness and docility, 

 Creep to the love of man and child. 



And win thine own felicity. 



The gleanings of the sumptuous board 



Conveyed by some indidgent fail-, 

 Arc in a nook of safety stored, 



And not dispensed till thou art there. 



Iu stately hall and rustic dome, 



The gaily robed and homely poor 

 Will watch the hour when thou shalt come. 



And bid thee welcome to the door. 



* A^ium Histor. — Priucip. 



