NOTES BY THE WAY 



the place. One noticeable feature of the affair was 

 the apparent utter indifference of the female, who 

 went on with her nest-building as if all was peace 

 and harmony. There can be little doubt that she 

 would have applauded and accepted the other bird 

 had he finally been the victor. 



One of the most graceful of warriors is the robin. 

 I know few prettier sights than two males challen- 

 ging and curveting about each other upon the grass 

 in early spring. Their attentions to each other are 

 so courteous and restrained. In alternate curves and 

 graceful sallies, they pursue and circumvent each 

 other. First one hops a few feet, then the other, 

 each one standing erect in true military style while 

 his fellow passes him and describes the segment 

 of an ellipse about him, both uttering the while a 

 fine complacent warble in a high but suppressed 

 key. Are they lovers or enemies ? the beholder 

 wonders, until they make a spring and are beak 

 to beak in the twinkling of an eye, and perhaps 

 mount a few feet into the air, but rarely actually 

 delivering blows upon each other. Every thrust is 

 parried, every movement met. They follow each 

 other with dignified composure about the fields or 

 lawn, into trees and upon the ground, with plumage 

 slightly spread, breasts glowing, their lisping, shrill 

 war-song just audible. It forms on the whole the 

 most civil and high-bred tilt to be witnessed during 

 the season. 



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