50 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



something of sadness in the strain. It seems to tell 

 us that the beauty of the year is gone ; that flowers 

 have faded, and leaves have dropped ; while the 

 singer mourns for Philomel, who has deserted the 

 grove. The effect produced upon the mind has 

 been happily expressed by Cowper, in his " Winter's 

 Walk at Noon": 



" No noise is here, or none that hinders thought ; 

 The Redbreast warbles still, but is content 

 With slender notes and more than half suppress'd ; 

 Pleased with his solitude, and flitting light 

 From spray to spray where'er he rests, he shakes 

 From many a twig the pendant drops of ice, 

 That tinkle in the wither'd leaves below. 

 Stillness accompanied with sounds so soft 

 Charms more than silence." 



The familiar habits of this bird have in most 

 countries obtained for it familiar names. Thus, 

 about Bornholm it is called " Tommi Liden ;" in 

 Norway, " Peter Rosinad ;" in Germany, " Thomas 

 Geirdner;" and with us, "Robin Redbreast." Indeed, 

 the fearlessness which it displays, and the confidence 

 which it exhibits in man, have rendered it every- 

 where a general favourite, and have secured for it a 

 protection accorded to few other birds. 



Numerous are the anecdotes which have been 



