DAYS AMONG THE ROBINS 121 



considerably more beautiful than the Robins of 

 other lands, and that some are as pleasantly frater- 

 nal as "the honest Robin that loves mankind" in the 

 hard winter of the old world. By the same token, 

 though, how useful it is for our Robins to be able 

 to claim kinship with the estimable bird of Britain, 

 giving them, as it does, a place in human affections 

 that may not have been so readily attained on their 

 merits ! 



For instance: 



A class of small school-children in Victoria was 

 absorbed one day in a collection of museum speci- 

 mens of birds, familiar and otherwise. The full in- 

 terest of childhood was given every bird, but en- 

 thusiasm was reserved for the Robin the Red- 

 breast of their nursery rhymes. And no repetition 

 was needed of the invitation: "Tell me what you 

 know about the Robin." 



"Please, sir," said a small girl, "its nest is cold." 



Here was a nice puzzle. Nesting Australian birds 

 are more troubled by heat than cold. Then a recol- 

 lection stirred to the occasion, and I recited gravely: 



"Welcome, little Robin, 



With the scarlet breast, 

 In this winter weather 

 Cold must be your nest." 



"Is that what you were thinking of?" An excited 

 little girl said "Yes, sir !" and presently every sym- 

 pathetic child was chanting in unison: 



"Is the story true, Robin, 

 You were once so good 

 To the little orphans 

 Sleeping in the wood? 



