xvn LETTERS TO MARCO in 



together ; their whole manner and method of 

 feeding is different, and nature seems to have 

 inflicted a penalty, so to speak, on them of 

 solitude and isolation ; were it not so, they 

 would naturally soon cause their own famine. 

 I believe woodpeckers and several other 

 species do not pack, but they may almost be 

 considered as belonging to the birds of prey. 

 Robins do not pack, but in this case I believe 

 the robin may be considered as having almost 

 become domesticated, so connected with man 

 and his surroundings is he. In his case there 

 is no necessity for packing, in the ordinary 

 sense of the word. There is a little family 

 flock or tribe of robins attached to each 

 cottage-garden and orchard, to which they 

 cling all the year round. They become there 

 almost as domesticated as the dogs and cats. 

 They love the place as a cat loves hers, and 

 should their landlord be of a kindly disposi- 

 tion, will sing to him and bob their heads with 

 a winning grace that quite resembles the wag 

 of the tail or lick of the hand that the dog 



