A Much-used Robin's Nest 153 



hawthorn bush under the window. The remainder of the training of this 

 family must have been very intensive, for our journal under date of June 24 

 exhibits the following entry: "The Robins are nesting again in the old nest 

 on the down-spout by the study window; the female is sitting on four eggs." 

 Our first intimation was the conduct of the male; and if we ever doubted that 

 these birds were the same as before, the doubt was soon dispelled by his 

 characteristic 'personality.' When I came to the window, as he sat in the 

 opposite tree, he showed his displeasure in his accustomed way, snapping his 

 bill and bowing his head with a profound and challenging courtesy. His mate 

 also exhibited the same peculiar actions as before. The attitude of both birds 

 was that of the over-zealous owner who has always held possession, undisputed, 

 and will tolerate no intrusion. They tried to drive an English Sparrow from 

 the chestnut tree. The Sparrow darted about among the branches with the 

 tenacity characteristic of his breed, and with admirable agility, but the Robin, 

 in hot pursuit, with snapping bill, eventually drove him from the premises. 



A few days later we left for a vacation. When we returned temporarily on 

 June 28, the eggs had not hatched, but by July 8 there were half-grown young 

 in the nest. At that time we photographed the 'fighting female' in her tree 

 opposite the study window. The young left the nest on July 17, but their 

 father was still snapping his bill at us on the following day. 



Before the return of another nesting season we had moved away, but we 

 made inquiry, by letter, of the owner of the house, who knew of the old nest 

 and our interest in it. The following was received in reply: 



"Ithaca, N. Y., Aug. 20, 1912. 



"Mr. L. forwarded your letter to me from New York, not having observed 

 the birds' nest, which is still there and has had two broods this summer, one 

 before I came home and one a few weeks ago." 



The subsequent history of the militant Robins and their much-used nest 

 has not been recorded; and as to its 'prehistoric' origin and occupation, you 

 can guess as well as we. Of this much, however, we are certain: The same 

 nest, with slight repairs, served for at least six broods of Robins. 



