THE SEMI-ANNUAL. 21 



to the dusky solitude, awaking tlie softened eclioes wliich speak 

 and speak again to tlie leaves, the trees, the brooks and rills, 

 finding their way even to the listening ear of him who wanders 

 by. His is a " gush of molten melody" not too timid, yet not 

 bold. He stands not on a house-top, inviting all to look and 

 see, but sits in retirement, singhig only to his mate, because he 

 cannot help but sing. 



Stay with us now and thy music impart, 



Touching the tenderest chords of the heart. 

 Send us thy clear, bell-like music again 



Out from the depths of the dark wopded glen. 

 Cheer us when dreary or gloomj' the day. 



For then is the time of thy happiest lay. 



American Robin, Mertda migratoria. 



SITUATION OF NEST. 



Robin nests anywhere above ground beneath the Sun. I have 

 sometimes diligently scanned the horns of the Moon with a field 

 glass, thinking some enterprising Robin might have built his 

 nest within. He has preferences, however, and they are for 

 large trees and buildings. In the city, shade trees along streets 

 are the favorite ones ; in the country, shade trees along the I'oads 

 are inost often used, but many nests are built in the trees around 

 the houses In Iowa the osage-orange hedges are much resorted 

 to in company with Brown Thrasher. 



Mr. Burns found one nest on the ground half way up a 

 railroad bank. Mr. Jacobs has found nests on ledges of rocks. 

 Air. Ely says they are never on the ground and Mr. Strong and 

 myself have never found them there. I^have found nests under 

 bridges, in pump-stocks, on raiters in barns, in ornamental vines 

 within a foot of a window and even in eave tioughs. 



Mr. Burns says, " out of 49 nests, 30 were placed close to the 

 main stem, 8 out on branches, 10 in buildings and one on the 

 gi-ound ; only 2 were in thickets. All concur in this proportion. 



Robin makes his nest anywhere from on the ground to 50 or 

 even 60 feet up, commonly about 10 or 12 feet. 



