226 PERSONALITY IN BIRDS 



handful, falling roughly together, will set up a group 

 of circles more or less concentric, and yet individually 

 distinct. Such a group, with the various degrees of 

 coincidence and divergence in the areas of its 

 constituent circles, may represent a natural group of 

 birds with their several degrees of correspondence 

 and difference. Further, the circles of each such 

 group, in spreading out over the pond, will invade 

 and in part overlap the circles composing other 

 groups, such overlapping serving to indicate corres- 

 pondence between birds belonging to natural groups 

 otherwise distinct. 



Thus the Robin, by his very characteristic gestures 

 and the variable, warbled portion of his song, ranks 

 nearer to the Nightingale than any other of our 

 birds ; yet the crimson breast points to the Redstart 

 and the Chats, whilst the hesitating, squeaking notes 

 occasionally heard in its song attest even more distant 

 relationship to the Blackbird and the Thrushes. 



But, however similar to other members of his 

 family the Robin may in some points be, these 

 resemblances serve but to set off more clearly his 

 unique personality. Although a bird so unspoiled 

 in his feral instincts that, if caged, he will dash 

 himself to death, or starve in mute resentment, he 

 elects to attach himself to man and his works with a 

 familiarity that only refuses to become dependent. 

 For independence is of the fibre of him. If you will 

 dig, he will gladly grub ; but he will not thank you 

 to cast him his worm. Set any old pot in a 

 conveniently sheltered spot, the bird will probably 

 use it for nesting purposes, but lets it plainly be seen 

 that in taking over the premises he did not bargain 



