HOOK AND BLACKBIRD 167 



feeding its young yesterday in the garden, and 

 soon after I heard its alarm cry. On looking out 

 there was a large crow of some kind sitting on 

 the wall, looking out for young birds. So I 

 clapped my hands loudly, and away went the 

 crow, but the blackbird close to it moved not an 

 inch. It watched the enemy well away, and then 

 looked round gratefully at me or so I thought. 



That same bird sprang its rattle the other day 

 on the appearance of M.'s black cat, and went 

 on rattling for, I should think, half an hour, just 

 behind Topsy as she sat on the wall watching for 

 young birds. 



The tits have vanished away to the woods at 

 last. Two pretty flycatchers are doing good ser- 

 vice over the tops of the roses, twisting and turning 

 after the butterflies in the most wonderful way. 



September 2, 1891. 



We have had and lost two little tame 

 robins ; so tame that they followed me about, 

 and into the house, and would eat out of anyone's 

 hand. I hope they may come back some time, 

 but I do not think it is safe to make robins so 

 tame. 



February 2, 1892. 



M. has left me her robin to feed ; fortunately 

 he had become used to my window-sill before, and 



