Robins. 



Robins slip quietly away southward in autumn. 

 And it is in September and October that every 

 town and village in the south of England is en- 

 livened by their numbers and the pathetic beauty 

 of their song ; a song which I have observed as 

 being of finer quality in England than on the 

 continent, very possibly owing to a greater abun- 

 dance of rich food. I have been even tempted 

 to fancy that our English Robin is a finer and 

 stouter bird than his continental relations. Cer- 

 tainly he is more numerous here at all times of 

 the year, and he may travel where he pleases 

 without fear of persecution ; while the French 

 and German Robins, who for the most part make 

 for Italy in the autumn, return in spring in 

 greatly diminished numbers, owing to the in- 

 curable passion of the Italians for " robins on 

 toast." 



It does not seem that they come to us in great 

 numbers from foreign shores, as do many others 

 of our common birds at this time of the year ; but 

 they move northwards and southwards within our 

 island, presumably seeking always a moderately 

 warm climate. At Parsons' Pleasure I have seen 



