62 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



ness. It hops or rather glides quietly amongst the 

 twigs of the hedges or the currant bushes ; and its 

 chief food being insects, and being, moreover, especially 

 active in the destruction of caterpillars, its labours in 

 the gardens are of no little value. Its low but sweet 

 song is perfectly in keeping with its appearance and 

 habits, and not only is it a summer warbler, but, residing 

 with us all the year round, it " cheers the winter with its 

 melody." I have heard it at the beginning of February 

 singing as gaily as in June. It is a hardy little bird, 

 and an early nester. 



How different in disposition is the Robin (Sylvia 

 rubecula). Deeply enshrined in household memories is 

 " the little bird with bosom red/' and never to be for- 

 gotten the childish delight with which we have pored 

 over the sad fate of the lost but loving children, while 



" Kobin Redbreast faithfully 

 Did cover them with leaves." 



He wins our admiration and regard by the frank confi- 

 dence with which he approaches our dwellings, and the 

 fearlessness with which he takes the offered crumbs, 

 turning up his large dark eye the while. And yet this 

 bird, so familiar and so welcome, is amongst his fellows 

 of a most quarrelsome disposition. I have seen two 

 robins meet to do battle with all the boldness of the 

 game-cock, lowering their heads and setting up their 

 hackles in a similar manner, and leaping at each other 

 with the utmost fury, utterly regardless of my approach. 

 Other birds are not exempt from its pugnacity. I 

 have often been amused when a party of small birds, 

 sparrows, chaffinches, &c., have been engaged in search- 

 ing about in the garden or the yard, to see their quiet 

 labours disturbed by the sudden appearance of a robin 



