298 MY COUNTRY WANDERINGS 



that quickly leafing Hazel, and is again making 

 the welkin ring with his melodies." 



" Have you noticed the Robin as we have 

 passed along ? " I asked. 



" Yes, I think I know the song: it is a sad utter- 

 ance, methinks, and I know of some persons who 

 have a dislike for it." 



" True," I answered, " it is a somewhat melan- 

 choly song; but it is so frequently uttered when all 

 other song birds are silent, that I appreciate and 

 admire it." 



" Is it a lovable bird ? " queried my friend. 



*^ It is a most attentive and trustful species," I 

 answered; "but a born fighter, and woe betide 

 any bird of its own size with whom it comes into 

 conflict. If that legendary Sparrow had not been 

 armed with a bow and arrow, and had had a fair, 

 stand up fight with the Redbreast, we should 

 never have had the nursery rhyme of our child- 

 hood respecting the fatal arrow from the Sparrow's 

 deadly bow. For the most part, however, Robins 

 fight amongst themselves, and do not interfere 

 with other species." 



" And where do they nest ? " 



" In ivy-covered bowers, banks, stumps of 

 trees, old cans and baskets, and other out-of-the- 

 way places. I chanced to see one cross our path 

 just now and disappear into that ivy-covered bank 

 yonder. Stay a moment, whilst I look along. 



