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Correspondence.



we saw at least five thousand Ducks feeding within gun-shot of us, and often

would see fully twice this number in the air at one time. We witnessed, one

morning on Marsh Island, a flight of probably twenty thousand Blue Geese and

Snow Geese. Wilson’s Snipe we found in greater numbers than I have ever seen

before. Coots were also very abundant. Several wardens provided with power¬

boats are employed to see that market-hunters, tempted by these sights, do not

rig out their decoys and begin the work of slaughter, as they used to do when no

protection for the wild-fowl hindered their activity.


A -RESCUED ROBIN.


In looking about after a heavy storm in the middle of July, I was attracted

by the cry of a mother robin.* which, on seeing me, began circling round, then

darting to a place in the muddy road. I followed her, and found one of her

babies so buried in a wagon-rut of mud that it was difficult to tell bird from


mud, except by a faint pulse. Mother robin flew by my side until we reached


the garden. Then she seemed to call all the members of her family and friends,

for in a few moments housetops, telephone wires, fences, and trellises were

covered with excited robins, bluebirds, and wrens. We put the lump of breath¬

ing mud into a bath to soak, which was duly performed in full sight of mother

and father robin, relatives, friends and sparrows. When the diminished lump

was rinsed, disinfected and dried, there was little left but a few pin-feathers, two

closed eyes, and a broken leg. However, it was encouraging to feel a stronger


pulse, and to see a huge bill opening for food.


After setting the broken leg, the merry sunshine, a soft bed in a basket,

and a worm every second, helped much toward saving a valuable bird-neighbour.


The parents soon instructed me in “ pure food for robin culture.” They

are especially partial to beetles ; however, a robin menu includes angle-worms

(which I learned to dig with a sang froid which I never hoped to possess). Nice

juicy caterpillars made up part of their bill-of-fare ; as do also grasshoppers, cut¬

worms, locusts, and snails.


With the indefatigable assistance of the mother, who brought her babe no

less than a hundred helpings each day, and myself hard at it (father robin

worked only occasionally), the pin-feathers soon developed into a beautifully

spotted breast and lovely brown plumage on the back. The broken leg was in

splendid form in a fortnight, and, strengthened by daily massage, it was soon

perfect, lie enjoyed going about the garden perched on my finger, with an extra

pressure of the recovered toes to show his appreciation.


Meanwhile a bracket had been made, and our rescued bird (well named

“ Trouv6 Troubadour ” by a dear friend) was settled comfortably in his very own

house, only a short flight across the garden from his bath. Remember the

value of bird-life, and that their future largely depends on our kindness to them.


Rosalie A. Whitmore, Omaha, Neb.



* The American robin (Turdus migratorius).



