THE AMERICAN ROBIN 



Robins do good to the soil by dragging forth earthworms 

 and preventing their too rapid increase. Mr. Forbush 

 calls attention to the value of these birds in devouring 

 "dormant cutworms and caterpillars even in February," 

 also quantities of the larvae of March flies and white grubs 

 that injure grass. The robin is an enemy of caterpillars, 

 especially those that live near the ground; his destruction 

 of cutworms and white grubs alone entitles him to our 

 gratitude. He does eat early cherries, and has been bit- 

 terly arraigned for so doing. When later cherries, ap- 

 ples, peaches, pears, and grapes are ripe, wild fruits and 

 mulberries which he eats by preference, have also ma- 

 tured; so on the whole, he does little harm.* He is now 

 protected in most of our states. 



A Maine robin that had an inordinate love for cher- 

 ries and garden-raspberries was at first intimidated by a 

 most lifelike, well-set-up scarecrow placed in the garden 

 for his benefit. But he grew wiser as the days passed: 

 he approached the fearful creature and received no harm. 

 Familiarity finally bred contempt, for one day he was 

 discovered perched upon the scarecrow's shoulder eating 

 a raspberry! 



Robins become very tame. I once had the pleasure 

 of the companionship of a dear, gentle, little English robin 

 — a bird very diff"erent in size and manner from his 

 American cousin — who would come out of the shrubbery 

 whenever I called him. He would approach within two 

 or three feet of my chair, to snatch the soft crumbs that 

 I placed on the ground to lure him. He rewarded me 

 frequently with his delightful little bubbling song. 



An American robin during a March ice-storm learned 



♦Farmers' Bulletin 630. 



[99] 



