, THE ROBIN. 



(lonicera Tart.) and corchorus Japonicus, when 

 growing in the shrubbery, are very commonly strip- 

 ped of their bloom by bullfinches : the first incloses 

 many separated blossoms in its calyx before expan- 

 sion, and in that particular is analogous to the buds 

 of icosandrious trees in the'-garden ; and the full- 

 petaled swelling bloom of the latter affords a fine 

 treat for their feasts; but we may permit these 

 pretty birds to banquet here, though, if we expect 

 a supply of summer fruit, we must unsparingly 

 drive them away from the branches of our frugife- 

 rous trees. The blossoms of the peach, nectarine, 

 and almond, I have never observed to be injured by 

 these birds : the sparrow will pick away the buds of 

 trees against walls when they frequent such places, 

 but % with this exception, I know none but the bull- 

 finch which resort to that food as a regular supply. 

 The robin (motacilla rubecola) associated with 

 malignants is not, perhaps, in the place where it 

 generally would be sought ; but sad truths might 

 be told of it too. It might be called pugnacious, 

 jealous, selfish, quarrelsome, did I not respect an- 

 cient feelings, and long-established sentiments. A 

 favourite by commiseration, it seeks an asylum 

 with us; by supplication and importunity it be- 

 comes a partaker of our bounty in a season of seve- 

 rity and want ; and its seeming humbleness and ne- 

 cessities obtain our pity : but it slights and forgets 

 our kindnesses the moment it can provide for itself, 



