THE ROBIN. 181 



tracted attention, and many came to look at the nest, 

 where the birds, without displaying any alarm, reared 

 their first brood. 



As soon as their offspring were full-fledged, they set 

 about providing for another family, and built their se- 

 cond nest on a shelf, close to an old mouse-trap, on the 

 opposite side of the room. Here again they had many 

 visitors, but in due time dismissed their progeny. A 

 third nest was soon afterwards built under the same 

 roof. Another shelf was now chosen in a different cor- 

 ner of the same room, and there were soon seen in their 

 mossy bed, placed on a bundle of papers, four half- 

 fledged nestlings, the hen-bird entering the room while 

 the party were there. 



The song of the robin attracts regard not only for its 

 sweetness and peculiarity, but also for the indication it 

 affords of changes in the atmosphere. When spring 

 comes he warbles, for a short time, in so singular a 

 strain, as even to startle and puzzle those who often 

 listen to the notes of birds. Though the weather in 

 summer may be unsettled and rainy, he is sometimes 

 observed on the roof of a house, or on some topmost 

 twig in the evening, pouring forth his mellow or liquid 

 notes, and singing cheerfully and heartily. Now he will 

 be found a kind of barometer, for he foretells succeeding 



