MR. CHUPES AND MISS JENNY 



up and down before his favorite " with his 

 hat on/' as the expression went, his wings 

 drooping, his tail spread and dragging like 

 the train of a lady's gown, his beak open, 

 and his yellow tongue, sometimes also part 

 of his throat visible, while during the entire 

 parade he uttered tender trilling little 

 sounds that said as plainly as words could 

 have done, I love you! 



At all seasons, with the exception of the 

 moulting period, he made use of these al- 

 luring little ways to tell of his affection. It 

 was a genuine heart-song that he sang. I 

 sometimes hear its counterpart among the 

 robins at love-making seasons, but only 

 when the world is very still; for the song is 

 so delicate that even gently rustling leaves 

 can drown it. 



Whenever I catch a glimpse of a male 

 robin with a high crest, a spread and droop^ 

 ing tail and gracefully lowered wings, I 

 216 



