The Robin at Arm's Length 85 



posed object was incased in solid ice for days and the birds 

 fasted or starved. 



In the choice of a nesting site, the Robin, as we have seen, 

 obeys no law. The apple tree, which from its mode of branch- 

 ing yields wide open crotches and safe horizontal supports, is 

 generally chosen, but they also resort to the leafy elm, the ever- 

 green, the dense and remote woods, or, like the Phcebe, accept 

 the hospitality of barn, porch, or shed. 



Where the nest has already begun to crumble into ruins by 

 the time the young fly, it is often abandoned and a new one built 

 for the second brood, but whether a new nest shall be built or 

 not depends more upon the strength of the building instinct or 

 individual caprice than actual need. The old nest is sometimes 

 repaired, or even occupied without change during the same 

 season. On the other hand, three nests are sometimes built 

 in line and under cover, where a single one if put in good repair 

 would have answered the purpose. I once saw a Robin's nest 

 fixed to the end of a stick of wood that leaned against the side 

 of a barn, and the stone -gray color of the background formed 

 an excellent screen for its concealment. 



Young of the European Blackbird 

 or Ousel, first cousin of the Ameri- 

 can Robin. 



