BOB 143 



to itself, sitting on a chimney-pot with its head 

 on one side, and its feathers all abroad. 



-December 23, 1883. 



I do not feel sure that I am writing sense, for 

 the robin is most distracting. He is very tame, 

 comes when I call him, and can stand almost any 

 disturbance. Having finished his breakfast, he 

 thinks of the future, and guards the plate. The 

 way he does it is most comic. If a bird comes 

 down the robin darts at it, even if it be a nut- 

 hatch ; and while on the watch he twists first 

 one way and then another, and then dances a 

 little, always with the head on one side, as if he 

 were deaf with one ear and listening hard with 

 the other. Away he goes, and the others come. 

 Well done, hedge-sparrow ! it has sent two chaf- 

 finches to the right about. 



But a little while ago, a valorous torn-tit flew 

 violently upon a nuthatch that was feeding quietly 

 alone, and actually made it shout out and fly 

 away. Very courageous these torn-tits are ! 



Back comes Bob clucking, and very angry 

 to find the crumbs gone. 



April 10, 1885. 



Fancy Mr. Morris not knowing of the presence 

 of the nuthatch in Devonshire ! I have written 



