59 



soon appeared, and, after taking his fill of the worms, 

 perched on the gentleman's foot without shewing the 

 slightest trace of fear. 



As an exhibition bird, the Robin does not stand 

 much chance in a mixed class for small insectivorous 

 birds, .as it would certainly be outclassed by such 

 birds as Redstarts, Wagtails, Wrens, etc., and it is 

 only at the Great National Show at the Crystal 

 Palace that a Special Class is provided, and even this 

 may soon be expected to share the fate of the 

 Nightingale and Blackcap Class — which has dis- 

 appeared from the Schedule, apparently for ever. 

 Should any fancier, however, decide to keep a Robin — 

 and he might do much worse — a large sprightly bird 

 should be selected, wdth deep coloured breast and 

 shewing plenty of bluish bordering. If caught in 

 the autumn, say October, very little trouble would be 

 experienced in " meating off." Having caught your 

 bird, place him in a cage say iSin. long b}^ loin. deep, 

 and I2in. to i5in. high, with the wires f of an inch 

 apart, and cover the front with some light material. 

 Put in some hard-boiled egg and soaked ants' eggs, 

 well mixed, and a dozen mealworms per day for 

 the first two days, and then gradually reduce the 

 quantity until in a week or so, if a proper diet of 

 insectivorous mixture be supplied, mealworms need 

 only be given as a luxury now and again. I prefer, 

 however, to keep a Robin in an outdoor aviary, where 

 he will do w^ell throughout the year, and probably sing 

 during the winter months when all other songsters 

 are silent. It w^ould not, however, be safe to turn any 

 other small insectivorous birds into the same aviary 

 except Blue or Cole Tits, Nuthatches, or Pied Wagtails. 

 These species, as well as the seed-eaters, can usually 

 take care of themselves, but Nightingales, Stone- 

 chats, Whinchats, and the like, would soon find more 

 than their match in the Robin. 



