MAY MUSES 119 



and so it is. But, a few seconds later, the birds 

 have met again, and are fighting as furiously as 

 before. When one is worsted and tries to get 

 away, the other follows mercilessly, intent on 

 " pecking him out " ; yet this bloodthirsty pursuer 

 constantly renews his accustomed merry strain. 

 So much for the song of the wren ! 



But, instead of a wren, the sprightly robin may 

 be under observation. If a singing robin be 

 watched, and especially in autumn, he will be seen 

 to attack any other singing robin that may be 

 near ; in fact, one never sees two robins singing 

 amicably very near each other. And it is curious 

 how obviously the song of one will irritate another. 

 First, they sing alternately, as though in answer to 

 each other ; but very soon they have met, not 

 vigorously attacking each other, but hopping 

 around and singing rather acute notes. And at 

 this moment we may gain a notion of the use of 

 the red on the breast of the bird, namely, that its 

 purpose is to some extent to frighten an adver- 

 sary ; for if these rivals be closely observed it will 

 be seen that they not only keep their breasts 

 towards each other, but the feathers of the breast 



