DAYS AMONG THE ROBINS 125 



Unlike most other species, the Shrike-Robins sel- 

 dom take turn about on the nest. Their menage is 

 based on an even happier arrangement. Mother 

 does the brooding and father the foraging; and on 

 this basis there is enacted a delightful domestic 

 scene with each of the numerous meals the more 

 spectacular if there be babies in the nest. A beak- 

 ful of luscious insects secured, the little lord clings 

 in that funny Robin way of his to the side of a tree, 

 possibly 15 or 20 yards from the nest. Thence he 

 emits a faint note of inquiry. Immediately the quiet 

 mother on the nest is all animation. Both wings 

 quiver tremulously, and her pipe keeps rapid time 

 with "Me-me-me-me, yes please," and the notes are 

 cut off sharply as the Psalmist flits up swiftly and 

 silently, places the offering in her bill with aston- 

 ishing rapidity, and is away again as quickly as he 

 came. The wings in the nest that were so "troubled 

 and thrilled with ecstasy" are folded quietly for a 

 brief space as the mother bird "prepares" the mor- 

 sel in her beak; then she stands, hops back to the 

 edge of the nest, and feeds the young. 



The camera can record much, but it must ever 

 fail to re-create the moving, loving expressions of 

 the mother Robin as she spreads her wings over the 

 babies, snuggling and snuggling until they are per- 

 fectly comfortable. "Bairnies, cuddle doon," the 

 pretty actions plainly say, and if a bairn is unduly 

 restless the parent will stand erect on the edge of 

 the nest, look fondly down at the little one, and 

 deliberately soothe it into quietude. Over many 

 years I can see still the devoted mother of a Robin 



