on Bobins, and some others.



163



him over a critical time, and he rewarded us by becoming very tame.

He was always in and out of the dining-room, coming on the table

for crumbs, or perching on a tall screen.* If the window was not

open he would press his little red breast against the glass and beg to

be let in. Once on Christmas Day he settled on the dish of plum

pudding, looking for all the world like a Christmas card in real life,

and after he was fed it was sweet to listen to his little song of

thanks.


We had this robin about three years. I expect he came to a

tragic end, for he was friendly at the houses of our neighbours, one

of whom kept cats, and he was really too tame for his own safety.


My present robin lives down by the aviary. Every morning

when I go down “ Zit ” is waiting for me. His favourite perch is a

little apple tree by the door, and on New Year’s Day he brought

Mrs. Zit there too. They are both pretty birds, and much alike in

looks. The hen has been several times since, but she is shyer than

the cock.


“ Zit ” is a hold, impudent little thing ; he slips into the aviary

porch if I leave the door open, and perches on the watering-can

outside waiting for me to come out. He follows me from one aviary

to another, and does not care how close I come to him. I give him

some ground pea-nut every morning, and what is very important

in severe weather, a pot of fresh water—for birds want drink as well

as food.


Besides “ Zit ” I have quite a little family of small birds who

come in the apple tree to be fed. A few mornings ago there were

altogether, besides the pair of Robins, a pair each of Great Tits, Cole,

Blue, and Marsh Tits, one Starling, and a hen Chaffinch. “ Zit ”

and the Great Tits have battles, and he sadly bullies my favourites,

the little Marsh Tits, driving them off when they come to feed ; but

they only fly a few feet away, and cling to the bark of a tree, waiting

their chance to try again. I find the Tits are very fond of sunflower

seed, and it is very interesting to see the four varieties feeding together

and to note the difference in each.



* [It is curious how superstitious many people are with regard to a robin coming

into a house. A lady we know is quite alarmed, feeling sure it presage

misfortune. Has this to do with the legendary connection of the robin and

the Crucifixion of Our Lord?—E d.]



