THE REDBREAST. 4<7 



seek his summer pleasures in the woods. Some- 

 times he has been known in the winter to glide 

 in at the partially-opened window of the sick 

 chamber, and make his familiar abode near the 

 resting-place of the invalid. One such instance 

 we well remember, which occurred in the year 

 1826, to a gentleman in the principality of 

 Wales, who was at that time confined to his 

 chamber by a severe illness. It was at the com- 

 mencement of winter, and a robin had begun to 

 frequent the garden and shrubbery, and nestle 

 near the dwelling-house. Every morning, as 

 soon as the door was opened, he entered the 

 house, and flew up stairs towards the chamber of 

 the invalid, gaining admittance at the first op- 

 portunity. Once within the apartment, he esta- 

 blished himself on the top of a wardrobe, con- 

 cealing his little person behind the moulding. 

 Here he remained until all stir and movement 

 in the room had ceased, and the sick man was 

 left alone, with his breakfast placed before him 

 on a bed-table. Then was the time for robin to 

 show himself; and quitting his hiding-place, he 

 came hovering at the bed-side, glancing his 

 bright eye in at the opening of the curtains, as 

 if to ascertain that his friend was alone. Having 

 satisfied himself, apparently, by this scrutiny, he 

 flew within the curtains, alighted on the bed- 



