GATHERED BY THE WAY 



ing of had a nest of young in a maple near by, and 

 she worked the neighborhood very industriously 

 for food. She would run along over the short grass 

 after the manner of robins, stopping every few feet, 

 her form stiff and erect. Now and then she would 

 suddenly bend her head toward the ground and bring 

 eye or ear for a moment to bear intently upon it. 

 Then she would spring to boring the turf vigorously 

 with her bill, changing her attitude at each stroke, 

 alert and watchful, throwing up the grass roots and 

 little jets of soil, stabbing deeper and deeper, grow 

 ing every moment more and more excited, till finally 

 a fat grub was seized and brought forth. Time after 

 time, during several days, I saw her mine for grubs 

 in this way and drag them forth. How did she know 

 where to drill ? The insect was in every case an 

 inch below the surface. Did she hear it gnawing the 

 roots of the grasses, or did she see a movement in the 

 turf beneath which the grub was at work ? I know 

 not. I only know that she struck her game uner 

 ringly each time. Only twice did I see her make a 

 few thrusts and then desist, as if she had been for 

 the moment deceived. 



How pugnacious the robin is ! With what spunk 

 and spirit he defends himself against his enemies! 

 Every spring I see the robins mobbing the blue jays 

 that go sneaking through the trees looking for eggs. 

 The crow blackbirds nest in my evergreens, and 

 there is perpetual war between them and the robins. 



263 



