66 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



the gravedigger, the seclusion of the kirkyard 

 just suiting his temperament. 



" The Redbreast oft at evening hours 



Doth kindly lend his little aid 

 With hoary moss and gathered flowers 

 To deck the ground where thou art laid." 



The gardener in his digging operations is 

 often accompanied by a robin, who picks and 

 eats the upturned worms. The Robin has no 

 fear, and the gardener never molests him. The 

 Robin may be sitting on one side of the spade, 

 while the gardener has his foot on the other 

 side, so confident is he of the gardener's friend- 

 ship. " Trust on one side engenders confidence 

 on the other, and mutual attachment is the 

 natural result." 



When the weather gets cold and stormy 

 there is a robin that comes into the house, 

 flying round and perching anywhere. 



" Then, hopping o'er the floor, 



Eyes all the smiling family askance, 



And pecks and starts and wonders where he is." 



When it is very cold he roosts in the kitchen 



