THE REDBREAST. 167 



The robin has not uncommonly come under my notice in summer 

 in Holland and Switzerland. 



For the following biography, I am indebted to a lady residing 

 at Hazelbank, (co. Antrim) : — 



In the autumn of 1844, we first became intimate with our little friends (the robins), 

 about whom you inquire. They attended all our gardening operations, picking up 

 worms as they appeared, and although they seemed to prefer small ones, yet I was 

 often amazed at their enormous swallow, for they would attack monstrous creatures, 

 knocking them about with their bills until they were totally disabled, then gulpiDg 

 them down whole or in very large pieces. As it was very rare for more than a single 

 bird to attend us at a time, we thought at first that there was only one who particu- 

 larly sought our society ; however, upon further acquaintance, we discovered we had 

 three constant companions, and were delighted wben we found that each had its 

 own little peculiarity of plumage, of movement, and even of expression of counte- 

 nance, which enabled us to identify them, when near, almost at a glance. As a 

 matter of course we gave them different appellations; one with a slight elevation of 

 feather on the top of his head we named Cresty ; the second we called Terry, from 

 meeting him generally at the seat on the terrace walk; the third, having eyes much 

 larger than either of the other two, was, in consequence, designated Big-eye. Cresty 

 is much the handsomest bird, having a most brilliant bosom and a fine glossy coat, 

 with a quick startling movement and a fiery eye. Terry's breast is of a paler red, 

 with a rounded soft cosey little figure, gentle in his movements, and confiding and 

 affectionate in his manner. The plumage of Big-eye is all over of a darker hue; the 

 movement more stealthy, and the manner extremely timid. To induce a greater in- 

 timacy, we placed crumbs of bread on the sun-dial at the terrace seat, and our dear 

 little Terry would pick them up, and gradually come so near, hopping about our feet, 

 that I put some on a bit of slate and held it in my hand, in order to tempt him still 

 nearer : after a little hesitation he alighted on it for an instant, and flew off with a 

 crumb: by degrees he gained more courage and remained longer; I then tried him 

 with my hand, which he seemed to prefer, and took delight in picking the crumbs 

 from the hollow between the fingers, but he looked with great suspicion at my thumb 

 which I could, with difficulty, train to be quite still. In a short time he became 

 more familiar, and seemed to watch our approach, for he frequently met us on the 

 little walk leading from the house, and when we did not attend to him, he would come 

 dashing past, striking my bonnet violently with his wing, or fluttering in my face ; 

 he would sometimes sit upon a twig, and as if hold a conversation with me, for he 

 would be quite silent while I talked to him, and so soon as I paused, he began a little 

 soft and sweet muttering in his throat, as if in reply, which he would cease, the mo- 

 ment I again spoke. "When we found him absent, and called, Terry ! Terry ! he was 

 soon at our side : and his hearing must be very acute, for I have seen him flying to- 

 wards us from a very great distance. To give an idea of his extreme composure and 

 satisfaction while sitting on the hand, he has more than once, after feeding, tucked up 

 one of his little feet under his feathers (as we often see barn-door fowls do,) and roosting 



