THE ROBINS GO A-TRAVELLING 



this matter diminished slightly as years 

 went on, however. At times Jenny seemed 

 ravenous for earth-worms I have seen her 

 lift herself nearly off her feet in her eager 

 haste to gulp one down yet even she was 

 fitful in her fancy for them. There was, 

 however, a certain luscious specimen of 

 worm, found on parsley, if I am not mis- 

 taken, over w'hich the birds fairly smacked 

 their beaks. They were also fond of meal- 

 worms (always in stock at bird fanciers'), 

 but these dainties are very rich and must 

 be used sparingly. After too liberal a diet 

 of them my birds had their second moulting 

 period in one year. By the way, they 

 seemed quite as eager to bathe during the 

 moulting season as at any other time and, 

 as I found it did not harm them in the least, 

 I allowed them to proceed as usual. 



Once when we were summering in the 

 Catskills, a friend brought them, on a twig, 

 127 



