42 AMERIOAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



earth worms, instead of any ideas belonging to the social or sentimental side 

 of things. 



Possibly, too, in view of the difficulties of bringing to a stage of maturity 

 the young of the Robin race, man, as compared with other foes, was judged 

 among the lesser evils. The American Robin has some superior qualities of 

 mind, evident to the observer in the expression of his face and figure, and in 

 the tones of his voice; but not even his best friend can maintain that in cul- 

 ture and breeding he is the equal of his old countrj^ namesake. 



It is not surprising, however, that the species found more favor than some 

 other American songsters in the eyes of the New England settler. The 

 Robin's qualities of mind and morals resemble those of the Puritan to a de- 

 cree hardly thought to be possible in a wearer of feathers. 



The type of virtue by which this bird is distinguished among his feathered 

 neighbors is that of a description that commands respect, but fails often to 

 inspire anything like a warm regard from those around him. His faults, 

 •even his best friends would be obliged to admit, are not those easily over- 

 looked by him who, whether man or bird, would live in peace and charity 

 with his neighbor. While considering this phase of Robin character it may 

 not be out of order to make mention of the air of distinct disapproval with 

 which this bird regards the doings of his more frivolous minded companions 

 among the smaller birds. Next to his chief and most toilsome task in life, 

 that of bringing up his family in the way they should go, — a way it may be 

 observed he is firmly persuaded he has followed himself without a single 

 deviation from the middle of the road, a favorite theme of his, apparently, 

 is the ways of the rest of the supposedly sinful featherdom and animated 

 creation in general, and he believes they are all united in efforts directed 

 against the well being of such saints as him and his. 



From the time he deposits the first beakful of mud that forms the corner- 

 stone of his family hut in the first spruce on the avenue, until his note of 

 reprimand is given through force of habit, to the unresponsive stretches of 

 the winter woods, it is chiefly the sunnj^ side of his life his attention is 

 given to. 



A considerable portion of the mental energy belonging to the particular 

 specimen that supplies me with most material for thought concerning Robin 

 manners and moods, is devoted toward suitable expression of his deep-seated 

 and personal dislike of the garden's Catbird. The Catbird, it must be said, 

 has not a few shortcomings which cannot but call for unfavorable comment 

 from those around him. 



One of these is his ill-concealed curiosity concerning his neighbor's manner 

 of life. At least the Robin is firmly persuaded that no other explanation can 

 be given of his presence, when he comes upon him, as he frequently does to 



