American Robin 27 



weight of a horny hand. Of course young Mose sometimes 

 does loot Robin's domicile, but that is because Robin has given 

 away his hiding place by indiscreet and unnecessary screaming. 

 Birds probably never swear, but ofttimes it seems as though 

 Robin comes painfully near it. There is rarely any reason for 

 this resentment, but if a human should sometimes swear at 

 Robin it might be pardonable. 



Despite the foregoing, slightly disparaging remarks, it cannot 

 be ignored that Robin has some admirable characteristics. 

 His utility in the economic scheme of things has long been 

 recognized by the agriculturist. He eats a few cherries — 

 why should he not? — but the noxious worms and grubs that 

 fall victims to his excellent appetite, more than compensate 

 for any alleged wrong-doing in cherry time. He is also a 

 trim, well-groomed, and altogether handsome bird, and there- 

 fore an ornament to our parks and lawns. Imagine Washington 

 Park without the Robins! they are everywhere and animate 

 every glade and nook. 



Robin certainly can sing. His favorite time is generally 



in the early morning or the late afternoon, and April is the time 



of the year when he is at his best. I stood at sunset one 



afternoon near the Capitol and listened to the singing of a 



Robin which was balanced on the bare branch of a Maple 



and silhouetted against the fading sky. He was a master 



among his kind, and in his liquid notes I seemed to catch 



the words: 



O, beautiful! Beautiful! 



Mortals hear! 

 Glory! O, glory! 



Springtime's here. 



