JFlotoers atr& Jfrufts of Autumn. 319 



the species derives its name, from cimex, a. bug, 

 and fugo, to drive away. 



The vermilion and light-red berries of the 

 European and the American mountain -ash 

 (Pyrus aucuparia and P. Americana) are con- 

 spicuous at present. One of the finest orna- 

 mental trees, the mountain-ash, like the linden, 

 is unfortunately subject to attacks from borers 

 and ants, which eventually split the rind and 

 destroy the vitality of the tree. The robins are 

 numerous among its branches, feasting upon the 

 berries. Equally busy are they among the 

 pearsj apples, and grapes meat-eaters in the 

 summer and vegetarians in the fall. The robin 

 has a distinct autumnal note, which I like to 

 hear a noisy call he utters when about to 

 change his perch, or preliminary challenge to a 

 raid upon the orchards, as if he knew he had a 

 right to the spoils, and wanted his companions 

 to share the feast. From the thickly foliaged 

 thorn, hung with its scarlet fruit, comes a soft, 

 tender, caressing song, one of the sweetest of 

 the year a warble so low, so sweet, so plaintive, 

 I tiptoe closely to the songster to hear it. How 

 charming the cat-bird can be when he tries, and 

 how different his dulcet autumnal vespers from 

 the frenzied " Czardas " he is so fond of playing 

 in the morning of the year ! 



