ROBIN ROOSTS. 165 
I had seen them gather: now a single bird, 
now two or three, now six, or even ten. A 
easual passer along the road would have re- 
marked nothing out of the common course. 
They flew low,— not as if they were starting 
upon any prolonged flight, — and a goodly 
number alighted for a little in the field 
where I was standing. Shortly before sun- 
rise | went into the wood and found it de- 
serted. The robin is one of our noisiest 
birds. Who would have believed that an 
assembly of thousands could. break up so 
quietly? Their behavior in this regard may 
possibly have been influenced by prudential 
considerations. I have said that many of 
them seemingly took pains to approach the 
roost indirectly and under cover. On the 
westerly side, for example, they almost in- 
variably followed a line of bushes and trees 
which runs toward the roost along the edge 
of the meadow, even though they were 
obliged sharply to alter their course in so 
doing. 
All this time I had been in correspond- 
ence with my friend before referred to, who 
was studying a similar roost,! — in Belmont, 
1 This roost was discovered by Mr. William Brewster, 
in August, 1884, as already mentioned. 
