THE ROBIN. 77 



clad rail, or far up in the frosted branches, pouring forth 

 his lovely song. As he sits, his feathers all ruffled, his 

 bright red breast and large and trustful eyes contrasting 

 richly with the surroundings, he is, indeed, really a 

 beautiful object ; and no wonder that he elicits admiration 

 from all, even from the wandering gunner or birds'-nest- 

 ing schoolboy, for the one will not point his gun know- 

 ingly at a Robin, or the other think of plundering his 

 nest. 



