WHAT BIRDS SAY AND SING 221 



surpasses the robin in melody, but until building the 

 Cabin, north, I have been compelled to follow this 

 thrush to the ^oods — even to the deep woods — and 

 efface myself completely, often in most unpleasant 

 places, in order to hear his notes. All day, busy 

 with the affairs of life, from basement to garret of 

 any home I ever lived in, I have heard the robin 

 singing most exquisitely, as plainly as anything I 

 ever said myself, the tender words: " Cheer up, 

 dearie, cheer up, dearie, cheer up, cheer up, cheer!" 

 Frequently during the heaviest field work of May 

 and June I have come back to the Cabin at the 

 point of exhaustion from one of my hardest days 

 afield with burning, blistered shoulders, aching feet, 

 and tired eyes, for we often have extreme heat 

 in late June; and I have gotten a fresh grip on life 

 and my work from the robin's melodious and 

 infectious admonitions of cheer. From a musical 

 standpoint it is an excellent song that he sings, 

 with a clear, melodious beginning, well sustained 

 notes, and pleasing ending. I am particularly 

 fond of a bird that ends his song. After expe- 

 riencing the suspense of waiting for an oriole to 

 complete his strain, I feel particularly thankful 

 to a robin for coming to a happy, definite ending. 

 Robins of several seasons enlarge their repertoire 

 with lovely notes, learned from their closest neigh- 

 bours, the orioles, song sparrows, and bluebirds. 

 I often hear my robins dropping in these notes at 

 random in their song. 



