The Robin 213 



boy egg-collector into a protector of birds ; and strange 

 as it may seem, his first real interest came with the 

 keeping of notes. 



During the following winter the old nest was blown 

 from the lilac bush. When March came, we kept a 

 careful watch for the robins, and by the fifteenth 

 several had been seen. On March twentieth one of 

 our old friends appeared. It was the female, unmis- 

 takable because of her peculiar markings. She seemed 

 as tame as when she left on her fall migration. For 

 a week she remained about the lawn and old orchard, 

 and then disappeared for a few days, but on April 

 sixth returned with her mate and began a nest in a 

 bush close by the house. Only one brood was reared 

 this season. The following spring she returned and 

 reared two broods. With her fall migration our 

 acquaintance ended. The next spring we waited and 

 watched, even placing food upon the board in the 

 lilac bush, but our old friends did not appear. 



WHY THE ROBIN'S BREAST IS RED. 



According to a certain legend, a bird played a part 

 in the crucifixion. It was a modest little bird with 

 gray plumage, which approached the cross timidly, 

 uttering cries of grief. With its wings it tried to wipe 

 away the blinding sweat and blood from the face of 



