H2 LETTERS TO MARCO xvn 



gives his master. There is no necessity for 

 the change of their abode ; the food they find 

 there suits them at all seasons, and is equally 

 adapted for the young fledgling as the full- 

 grown bird. In the winter too there are 

 few people indeed, even amongst the 

 humblest, that do not at least throw food to 

 the robin. 



The robin has a character for pugnacity, 

 especially in the breeding season, and I have 

 often picked up dead ones in the early spring, 

 which I am led to believe are aged gentlemen 

 which have succumbed to more youthful 

 rivals, or may have died a natural death from 

 old age. I do not think that they are natur- 

 ally quarrelsome ; but it stands to reason, as 

 they will not leave their old homesteads the 

 accommodation must become limited, and 

 either the young or old birds must give way 

 some time or another. I suppose the old 

 birds hold their ground for as many years as 

 they can, driving farther afield the younger, 

 but at last have to give way. In the autumn 



