THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 55 



the well-known legend, so oft repeated in our juvenile days, 

 of the " favorite Robin Redbreast," said to have covered 

 with a leafy shroud the lost and wandering " babes in 

 the wood." He is commonly called " robin," though there 

 is but little resemblance between him and his European 

 congener, except in the single circumstance of his having 

 a red breast. 



The American robin, when reared in a cage, is of a lively 

 and gentle disposition, docile, and seemingly content, and the 

 melody and simplicity of his song, of which he is very lavish 

 in confinement, renders him a special favorite. He sings well, 

 readily learns to imitate lively parts of airs, and on the 

 authority of Mr. Nuttall, some have been taught to pipe forth 

 psalms even to so solemn a measure as that of " Old Hundred !" 

 He also acquires a considerable capacity for mimickry, 

 imitating the notes of many of the birds around him, as 

 those of the pe-wee, blue bird, and whip-poor-will. At times, 

 he becomes very tame, and will go in and out of the house 

 with domestic confidence, appear uneasy when left alone, and 

 will follow his owner, come to her call, peck at her finger, or 

 kiss her mouth, with seeming pleasure. His principal song, 

 both in confinement and at large, commences in the morning 

 before sunrise, and at which time it is very loud, emphatic, 

 and full. 



The rufous color of the breast becomes deeper in those 

 birds brought up in confinement, and the females are somewhat 

 paler than the males. The young, during the first season, are 

 spotted on the breast with dusk and white. 



