158 NOTES BY THE WAY. 



mis finally worsted and withdrew from the place. 

 One noticeable feature of the affair was the apparent 

 utter indifference of the female, who went on with 

 her nest-building as if all was peace and harmony. 

 There can be little doubt that she would have ap- 

 plauded and accepted the other bird had he finally 

 been the victor. 



One of the most graceful of warriors is the robin. 

 I know few prettier sights than two males challeng- 

 ing and curveting about each other upon the grass in 

 early spring. Their attentions to each other are sc 

 courteous and restrained. In alternate curves and 

 graceful sallies, they pursue and circumvent each 

 other. First one hops a few feet, then the other, 

 each one standing erect in true military style while 

 his fellow passes him and describes the segment of 

 an ellipse about him, both uttering the while a fine 

 complacent warble in a high but suppressed key. 

 Are they lovers or enemies ? the beholder wonders, 

 until they make a spring and are beak to beak in the 

 twinkling of an eye, and perhaps mount a few feet 

 into the air, but rarely actually delivering blows upon 

 each other. Every thrust is parried, every move- 

 ment met. They follow each other with dignified 

 composure about the fields or lawn, into trees and 

 upon the ground, with plumage slightly spread, 

 breasts glowing, their lisping, shrill war-song just 

 audible. It forms on the whole the most civil and 

 high-bred tilt to be witnessed during the season. 



When the cock-robin makes love he is the sami 



