1S90.I Brewster o7i Robin Roosts. 371 



dead trees to bask in the last rays of the sinking sun, and a nun 

 cherry tree loaded with ripe fruit is an irresistible attraction. 

 But when the rush is at its height, there is rarely any loitering. 

 Each bird, as it gains the woods, plunges into them at once, and 

 with such directness and decision that one feels sure it has gone 

 straight to its own particular perch. This, however, is evidently 

 not the case, for during the entire period covered by the bulk of 

 the flight, indeed for some time after the last belated straggler 

 has stolen in, there is incessant and general agitation of the foliage 

 as if a strong wind were blowing through the trees. This is 

 caused by the movements of innumerable birds who, in the at- 

 tempt to secure positions nearer the centre of the roost, or in 

 thicker foliage, are continually darting from place to place, often 

 plunging headlong into the branches or dropping through the 

 leaves with much awkward and noisy fluttering. Either be- 

 cause of inability to see distinctly in the dim light, or with delib- 

 erate design to dispossess their fellows, such restless spirits often 

 try to appropriate perches already occupied, and the squabbles 

 which ensue, although quickly ended by one or the other giving 

 way, are accompanied by outcries which rise above the general 

 din of shrill, varied voices. If it is early in the season there is 

 also more or less singing. 



But the most characteristic and peculiar sound to be heard in a 

 roost is that produced by the myriad wings constantly striking 

 the leaves. This closely resembles the patter of hail or large rain 

 drops on dry foliage at the beginning of a shower. There is also 

 an equally steady and similar but slighter sound of falling excre- 

 ment with which the ground and bushes beneath the roost are so 

 thickly covered at times as to look as if sprinkled with snow 

 flakes.* As the darkness deepens the tumult gradually subsides. 

 One by one the shrill voices are hushed and the nervous flutterings 

 cease, until, when the light has quite gone from the west and the 

 stars arc all out in the great dome overhead, a person might pause 

 under the trees and listen intently for minutes without hearing 

 anything save the occasional drowsy chirp or faint rustle of some 

 half-awakened bird — sole tokens of the feathered host bivouack- 

 ing in the leafy canopy above. 



* Early in the season when the food of the Robin consists chiefly of earth worms 

 and insects its excrement is of chalky whiteness- Later, when berries are eaten 

 freely, the color becomes so dark that the deposits beneath the roost are no longer 

 noticeable. 



