8 WINTER AND THE ROBINS, AND HOW 
of a confiding nature, and does little or no 
harm to flowers or fruit, subsisting chiefly 
on insects and grubs. Who does not know 
how he will keep near the gardener when he 
is digging, looking for the unearthed worm, 
and almost hopping on to the spade in per- 
fect confidence. Not only is he now looking 
for food, but his inquisitive nature attracts 
him to the spot, and he will perkily examine 
anything fresh in the garden. He is a deli- 
cately made bird, but is able, nevertheless, 
to withstand the severest cold of our winters. 
The wings are not strong, and so he is not 
capable of prolonged flight. He looks so 
gentle, and has such a trustiul “sote@eye 
that none could harm him. Though ihe 
bird is of tender frame and gentle appear- 
ance he exhibits great vindictiveness, and 
fights furiously when contending with other 
members of his species. In our gardens in 
winter, to which the birds resort for warmth 
and protection and greater chances of food, 
each cock robin reserves a portion for him- 
self, or the whole of it if it be not too large, 
