354 NATURE STUDY AND LIFE 



themselves. But in order that it may effect the desired 

 saving of birds, the children should be carefully instructed 

 in the work. 



A nest of robins is in the cherry tree. We have been 

 careful to disturb them as little as possible. We have 

 kept the water fresh, dug worms for them in the garden, 

 and with every look and movement have tried to assure 

 them that they are welcome. Stray cats that have worried 

 them we have driven off. Finally the most ambitious 

 of the overflowing nest tries his wings too soon and falls to 

 the ground. Both birds are in a panic of alarm, and the 

 little wide-eyed adventurer, with spotted breast, nest-down 

 sticking to his feathers, and stubby tail just starting to 

 grow, sits in the grass and calls loudly for help. Now is 

 the time to cultivate patience and tact. In a few minutes 

 the old birds will probably quiet down and go off in search 

 of food. Then if we approach slowly, the youngster will 

 quite likely open his bill to swallow us, when we can let 

 a bit of earthworm or a crushed raspberry fall into the 

 yawning chasm. He is ravenous. The chasm yawns 

 again, this time with a new purpose, and in less than five 

 minutes the nestling is sitting contentedly on our hand 

 and gulping down berries and worms. Then the little 

 head grows heavy, the eyelids droop, and Bob is asleep in 

 our hand. 



What we do now depends upon how much time we 

 have and on whether or not we wish to make a study of 

 the food of a young robin. Certain it is that returning 

 it to the nest will avail nothing. If our time is limited, 

 we may place it in a cage with some green oilcloth for a 

 roof and hang in the tree near the nest. We may put 



