262 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



absolute protection, and security from cats, and it will cheer- 

 fully nest on your window-sill. This is what one actually 

 did in Buffalo, under our roof — built her nest on the sill of an 

 upper window, close against the glass, and reared her brood 

 there. We went many times to see how she was getting on, 

 and she, knowing well that glass is a barrier, permitted us to 

 put our faces within two inches of her head. 



In the Zoological Park, the Robins were the first wild 

 creatures to learn, in 1900, that the reign of the poacher was 

 over; and they quickly told it to the crows, and thrushes, and 

 other birds. In an eight-foot pine-tree, that was planted 

 six feet from the edge of the main walk, and directly in front 

 of our headquarters, a Robin built her nest, only five feet from 

 the ground; and there she reared her young. To many 

 visitors who loved birds, her nest was shown, but to Robin- 

 killers and the nest-robbers no one said a word. On Gardiner's 

 Island, where cats live not, the Robins nest on fence-rails 

 only two feet from the ground, in full view of the bird-loving 

 inhabitants of that small world. 



Often we have been greatly interested by the keenness of 

 sight of the Robins which visit our lawn. After every shower, 

 certain Robins of our acquaintance take possession of the 

 lawn, and stride over the grass with an air of great importance 

 and earnestness of purpose. After several wise and sidewise 

 cocks of the head, a Robin will suddenly drive his bill far 

 down into the grass, and brace himself for a hard struggle. 

 By dint of many hard tugs, out comes the earthworm, to be 

 borne away in triumph to a certain nest. Often I have tried 

 to see worms down among the roots of the grass, as the Robins 



