PERCHING BIRDS. 63 



amongst them. Lowering his wings, he rushed first at 

 one and then another, until he had driven them all 

 away and remained master of the situation, the others 

 not venturing to contest the matter. 



But in spite of its pugnacious disposition it will ever 

 hold a chief place in our regard. Like its winter 

 neighbour the dunnock, its principal food is insects, 

 and no corner of the garden is overlooked in its search 

 for those tiny ravagers, which, if left unchecked, would 

 do us so much mischief. In addition to this the robin 

 is one of our most pleasing songsters, and its sweet 

 notes are heard, with few intermissions, all the year 

 round. In the spring there is more liveliness and viva- 

 city in its tones than at other times, though amidst the 

 choral harmony that then prevails it attracts but little 

 notice. But when our summer friends are fled with the 

 fading flowers, and the "sere and yellow leaf" comes 

 whirling from the tree, the robin's song awakens our 

 attention. Yet it lacks the joyousness of spring, and in 

 sympathy with the departing season it seems to breathe 

 a plaintive and melancholy strain, bidding us, as it 

 were, to remember that we " all do fade as a leaf," and 

 turning our thoughts to that haven of rest where nought 

 is touched by " decay's effacing fingers," but, fresh with 

 eternal spring, the redeemed of the Lord shall dwell 

 there for ever, " and there shall be no more death." 



Keble quotes from a friend some sweet lines in his 

 Christian Year, which I am tempted to transcribe : 



" Unheard in summer's flaming ray, 



Pour forth thy notes, sweet singer, 

 Wooing the stillness of the autumn day ; 

 Bid it a moment linger, 



Nor fly 

 Too soon from winter's scowling eye. 



