192 



THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 



This bird feeds principally on insects and worms ; and its skill in 

 preparing the latter is somewhat remarkable. It takes a worm by 

 one extremity, in its beak, and beats it on the ground till the inner 

 part comes away. Then seizing it in a similar manner by the other 

 end, it entirely cleanses the outer part, which alone it eats. 



The general familiarity of this bird has obtained for it a peculiar 

 denomination in several countries. The inhabitants of Bornholm call 

 it Tommi Liden ; the Norwegians, Peter Ronsmad ; the Germans, 

 Thomas Gierdet ; and we give to it the familiar appellation of Robin 

 Red breast. 



THE AMERICAN ROBIN, OR MIGRATING THRUSH. 



The familiar and welcome Robin is found in summer throughout 

 the North American 

 continent from the 

 desolate regions of 

 Hudson's Bay, in 

 the 53d degree, to 

 the table land of 

 Mexico; it is like- 

 wise a denizen of 

 the territory of the 

 Oregon, on the 

 western base of the 

 Rocky Mountains. 

 In all this vast 

 space, the American 

 Eieldfare rears its 

 young, avoiding 

 only the warmer 

 maritime districts, 

 to which, however 

 they flock for sup- 

 port during the inclemency of winter. In like manner the common 

 Fieldfare migrates at a late season from the northern districts of 

 Siberia and -Lapland to pass the winter in the milder parts of Europe. 

 The Robin has no fixed time for migration, nor any particular 

 rendezvous; they retire from the higher latitudes only as their food 

 begins to fail, and so leisurely and desultory are their movements, 

 *hat they make their appearance in straggling parties even in Massa- 

 chusetts, feeding on winter berries, till driven to the south by deep 

 and inundating snows. At this season they swarm in the Southern 

 States, though they never move in large bodies. The holly, prinos, 

 sumach, smilax, candle-berry myrtle, and the Virginian juniper now 

 afford them an ample repast in the winter, in the absence of the more 

 juicy berries of autumn, and the insects and worms of the milder 

 season. Even in the vicinity of Boston, flocks of Robins are seen, 

 in certain seasons, assembling round open springs in the depth of 



AMERICAN ROKIN. 



