NOTES OF THE BOBIN 85 



I suppose few birds have so many different 

 notes as the robin, or such expressive ones. The 

 warning note, and the angry note, all must have 

 observed ; but I am not so sure that the long, 

 pathetic, soft note, which is, I think, meant to 

 draw the young ones into shelter and away from 

 some danger, has been noticed. I have heard the 

 note often this year, and believe that to be the 

 motive. 



A blackbird must have had its nest near. It 

 carried away the best part of the bacon in my 

 plate for about a fortnight, and then brought a 

 pair of fine young ones to feed on the lawn, and 

 even on the window-sill sometimes. There is no 

 note I love better than the blackbird's, so I was 

 quite content to feed them. 



A greenfinch built in an arbor-vitce, but found 

 the nest too exposed and did not lay any eggs in 

 it. A hedge-sparrow, I think, reared its young 

 behind some sticks, and a wren in the shed. The 

 robin has laid five eggs again in its pretty nest ; 

 but I never see it sitting on them : it is now so 

 very much exposed, and I am so much in the 

 garden, that I do not expect it will have the 

 courage to do so, which is a pity. 



The garden looks lovely. The rose-trees are 

 covered with beautiful blooms and buds, and with 

 splendid foliage. Against the background of lime- 



