THE ENGLISH ROBIN. 151 



number : these are laid about May. The parents brood alternately during a fort- 

 night. They feed the nestlings assiduously with worms and insects, and diligently 

 instruct them in song, and tend them for a week or ten days after they are fully 

 fledged : they are then permitted to go forth into the world on their own account, 

 and the old birds prepare at once for the introduction of a second family. 



The Robin is a very sprightly little bird ; and it is no wonder that his social, fear- 

 less habits when wild have made him the great favorite he is. He may always be 

 met with close to the houses in country villages, hopping nimbly from bush to bush 

 about the fields and gardens in search of spiders, worms, and beetles, on which he 

 chiefly subsists during the summer season. Some few do not care to chance a 

 southern journey, and remain near their old haunts during the winter months, and 

 depend upon the various winter berries, or upon the good graces of their friends, the 

 gardeners, as a means of support. 



The Robin Redbreast is familiar to Europeans from earliest childhood, and is 

 looked upon as one of their earliest acquaintances. The fabled story of poor Cock 

 Robin's death and burial is the basis of many stories told of him in prose and 

 poetry. In the different countries of Europe he has procured as many different pet 

 names. In Norway he is known as "Peter Bonsmed," in Germany as " Tommi 

 Guidet:" in England he is called plain "Bob." 



Wordsworth best describes the esteem in which he is held, as follows : 



"Art thou the bird whom man loves best, 

 The pious bird with the scarlet breast, 



Our little English Robin, 

 The bird that comes about our doors 



When autumn winds are sobbing ? 

 Art thou the Peter of Norway boors ? 



Their Thomas in Finland, 



And Russia far inland ? 



The bird who by some name or other 



All men who know thee call thee brother, 

 The darling of children and men ? " 



The song of the Robin is ranked very high by some authors ; and the excel- 

 lences of his voice have, in some cases, been placed on an equal footing with the 

 Blackcap. His many endearing qualities and social traits, and being heard under 

 peculiar conditions, probably account for this high recommendation. Although his 

 song cannot be compared with the Blackcap's, yet for sprightliness, compass, and 

 plaintiveness he stands very high in the list of cage-birds. Like the American 

 Rob'in, he is so commonly seen wild, and is such a universal favorite, that he is not 

 so frequently seen caged as some of the rarer specimens, that cannot be compared 

 with him in song or playfulness. 



Although living in constant peace with mankind, and always remaining friendly 

 with him, the Robin is an extremely pugnacious fellow with members of his own race, 

 or with those of any other which dispute him in any way. Battles among them are 

 frequently seen, in which one or the other is killed : their ferocity is likened to that 

 of game-fowl. 



The pugnacity of the bird is taken advantage of for the capturing of others of 



