18 ROBIN 



intelligence was shown by a Robin family of my 

 acquaintance, not only in the construction of the 

 strong adobe frame for their nest, but after the 

 hatching of the blue eggs in methods of family 

 government and parental care ; in disciplining the 

 greedy, carefully feeding the weak ; and finally, 

 when the tremulous nestlings were launched on 

 their own wings, in teaching them caution, and 

 driving off their enemies sometimes, in cases of 

 extraordinary danger, by rousing the neighbor- 

 hood against the threatening monsters. What 

 human tenderness the old birds show in their 

 family relations, not only in caring for their little 

 ones, but in the small offices of daily happy com- 

 panionship ! how grateful is the gentle song, how 

 tender the watchful solicitude of the male, and 

 how trustful the quiet home affection of his mate 

 as they work together for their brood ! 



Other delights of discovery await the patient, 

 unobtrusive observer as he listens to the song of 

 the Robin, with its individual variations the 

 cries of warning, anxiety, and simple good cheer ; 

 the joyous daybreak chorus ; the tender carol at 

 the nest, and the low, meditative evening song 

 rising from the dewy lawn. 



But, beside the sympathy and affection which 

 the Robin rouses by his love and song, the bird 

 has a habit which in recent years has called the 

 attention of the ornithological world to him with 



O 



renewed interest. Mr. William Brewster has 



