The Robin. 57 



" Yes, my boy," said his mother. And she brought 

 a plate of bread. 



Willie fed the robin and found that the bird was 

 not at all afraid. 



" See, mother ! " said Willie, " his tail, wings, and 

 back are a grayish brown ; his breast is chestnut- 

 colored." 



" Yes," said she. " Have you noticed his feet ? " 



" On each foot he has three toes in front and one 

 behind. Is he a percher?" asked Willie. 



" Yes," said his mother, " he belongs to the large 

 family of perching birds." 



" There he goes," said Willie. " See, how he runs 

 over the ground ! He does not hop as some birds 

 do. What is he doing now ? See him peck at the 

 ground." 



" He has found a worm and is pulling it out of 

 the ground with his sharp bill." 



As Mrs. Clark spoke, the robin flew into a cherry 

 tree near the house. 



" He must be building his nest in that tree," said 

 Willie. " I know robins like to build their nests 

 near houses. Let us watch and see if that is what 

 he is doing." 



Mr. and Mrs. Robin were very busy building a 

 home. They made their nest of hay and grass 



