ROBIN AND WEASEL 103 



recently, I saw two fighting in the middle of a 

 field, the ground at the time being covered with 

 snow. 



Robins show great attachment to their young 

 while they are in the nest, and even for some time 

 after they have left to take to the hedgerow on 

 their own account. A pair built for years succes- 

 sively in the hole of a tree stump overgrown with 

 ivy, but the eggs were generally taken soon after 

 they were laid. Last spring, however, they were 

 left to be hatched ; but when the brood were nearly 

 ready to leave, either a cat, or more probably a 

 weasel, attacked them at night and destroyed 

 the young birds. The faithful mother Robin had 

 done her best to protect her family, however ; for 

 although almost torn to pieces, she was still in the 

 nest when I discovered the distressing little tragedy, 

 and the remains of the young birds were lying on 

 the gound beneath. 



Very eccentric places are sometimes chosen for 

 nesting sites, three of which are here portrayed. 

 The basket containing the nest was standing on a 

 shelf in a small tool-house ; but as it was too near 

 the roof to photograph, I placed it lower down, the 

 better to show the eggs. The nest on the folding 

 chair was built in the position shown, in a cricket 

 pavilion, and although the playing season had 



