92 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



now singing sweetly, or at short intervals waiting for, and 

 answering some neighbouring songster. As a weather 

 guide to those who closely study the habits of birds, the 

 robin is indeed a feathered barometer, and often have 

 I proved the truth of an old countryman's remark 

 " 'twill be fine yet, sir ; that robin is singing higher 

 up the tree than he did this morning." Should a bright 

 interval also occur before sunset, after a day's rain, he 

 still cheers us with a merry note, though at such times, 

 as I have frequently noticed, he perches only midway 

 on the trees and bushes. On the other hand, though his 

 song may be heard at times during unsettled weather, 

 how doleful he seems when the clouds are heavy with 

 impending rain; how his little mandibles then vibrate 

 together with a peculiarly querulous sound, as though 

 his spirits fell with the occasion, and no doubt they do ! 

 for watch him again on some fine autumn evening, 

 when the sun setting leaves a glorious sky and gnats 

 in waltzing myriads proclaim a fine to-morrow, where 

 is he then ? There ! on that highest twig nearest to 

 heaven, where every leaf stands out, clear and distinct 

 against the deep blue sky, warbling his heartfelt satis- 

 faction in the scene, his little vesper hymn. 



Who shall say that British ornithology is an ex- 

 hausted theme, when even the robin itself, still forms a 

 subject for discussion amongst enquiring naturalists ; and 

 are there not many of our most common species, whose 

 habits are literally less known than those of rarer birds, 

 simply because, being always with us, no one takes the 

 trouble to observe them thoroughly? Much has been 

 written of late in the " Field" and " Zoologist " as to 

 what becomes of the large number of robins, which, from 

 their very immunity from persecution, must necessarily 

 be reared in this country. Many, and ingenious have 

 been the theories advanced for their not increasing in 

 proportion beyond all other birds; some alleging that 



