42 BEITISH LAND BIRDS. 



and quick and graceful motion enlivened our 

 monotonous abode. 



" On our approach to the island of Candia our 

 pretty and interesting navigators hastened to fly 

 away, and took leave of us by uttering a few 

 shrill notes, the sweet accents of their joy, and 

 perhaps of their gratitude." 



Under the influence of this instinctive confi- 

 dence in the favour and protection of man, cer- 

 tain birds attach themselves to our neighbourhood, 

 and seek the shelter of our habitations, beneath 

 which to rear their young. This feeling seems to 

 give them a sort of claim upon our sympathy and 

 kindly usage, and I cannot help agreeing with 

 Mr. Jesse, that the attachment with which the 

 robin is regarded by mankind, wherever he is 

 known, is to be traced principally to this cause. 

 The little redbreast loves to be near us, and to 

 live under our shadow. He comes to us in his 

 distresses not only for food and shelter, but as if 

 he thought our companionship was more pleasant 

 and comfortable to him than that of his fellows ; 

 and he is constantly proving it to be so by the 

 cheery song with which he greets us in the most 

 cheerless day, even in the depth of winter. We 

 do not care to tame a robin, we rest Satisfied with 

 his natural philanthropy ; and though in many 

 respects he may be voted inferior to most of his 



