62 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 
ness. It hops—or rather glides—quietly amongst the 
twigs of the hedges or the currant bushes; and its 
chief food being insects, and being, moreover, especially 
active in the destruction of caterpillars, its labours in 
the gardens are of no little value. Its low but sweet 
song is perfectly in keeping with its appearance and 
habits, and not only is it a summer warbler, but, residing 
with us all the year round, it “ cheers the winter with its 
melody.” Ihave heard it at the beginning of February 
singing as gaily asinJune, It is a hardy little bird, 
and an early nester. 
How different in disposition is the Robin (Sylvia 
rubecula). Deeply enshrined in household memories is 
“the little bird with bosom red,” and never to be for- 
gotten the childish delight with which we have pored 
over the sad fate of the lost but loving children, while 
** Robin Redbreast faithfully 
Did cover them with leaves.” 
He wins our admiration and regard by the frank confi- 
dence with which he approaches our dwellings, and the 
fearlessness with which he takes the offered crumbs, ~ 
turning up his large dark eye the while. And yet this 
bird, so familiar and so welcome, is amongst his fellows 
of a most quarrelsome disposition. I have seen two 
robins meet to do battle with all the boldness of the 
game-cock, lowering their heads and setting up their 
hackles in a similar manner, and leapmmg at each other 
with the utmost fury, utterly regardless of my approach. 
Other birds are not exempt from its pugnacity. I — 
have often been amused when a party of small birds, 
sparrows, chaffinches, &c., have been engaged in search- 
ing about in the garden or the yard, to see their quiet 
labours disturbed by the sudden appearance of a robin 
