xv LETTERS TO MARCO 97 



that their time is short, their stay a mere 

 visit, and have not a moment to lose there- 

 fore. They likewise take little or no notice of 

 other birds, and their apparent boldness arises 

 chiefly from the reckless sense of security that 

 their exquisite power of flight gives them. 



Very different is the sweet sociability and 

 confiding friendship with which the robin 

 treats us, or the impudent and time-serving 

 cupboard love of the sparrow. You can 

 scarcely take your hoe in your hand for 

 weeding purposes on an autumnal morning 

 before a robin sees you, and alighting on the 

 nearest branch gives forth the sweetest little 

 conciliating song in the world. Sure I am he 

 does this to win your favour, for if you talk 

 to him he answers and testifies his friendship 

 with sundry nods and bobs. 



The sparrow is likewise very much alive 

 to your presence ; he, however, retreats before 

 you, though never very far away, dodging 

 about and keeping his eye on you much as a 

 street boy does when disturbed in a game of 

 H 



