THE ROBIN. 



Of all birds which enjoy any protection from man, 

 perhaps the Robin is most prominent. His bright 

 colours and sprightly actions, together with the sundry 

 nursery tales in which he is favourably mentioned, con- 

 duce greatly to place him in more security than his 

 congeners. Unlike most other soft-billed birds, the 

 Robin remains with us throughout the year : he lends a 

 charm to the wintry landscape, and in summer graces 

 the smiling face of nature with his presence. He is 

 also one of our few perennial musicians, his song being 

 heard the year throughout. We find the Robin close to 

 our habitations ; in the most secluded haunts of the 

 deepest woods, far from the busy hum of men ; in the 

 farmyard, the field, and garden, the plantation and 

 shubbery, the country lane and shaded dell, and by the 

 side of the murmuring rivulet. In all these situations 



