124 THE ROBIN 



will do so, and at the same time keep his eye 

 fixed on some mark in the background, he will 

 note that the robin comes up, time after time, 

 to exactly the same spot without overbalanc- 

 ing or exerting the sHghtest effort to steady 

 itself, notwithstanding that it has come at 

 the hoop with considerable momentum. The 

 appearance is as though the " shade " of the 

 bird had been cast on the hoop. In this 

 position the robin remains motionless until, 

 due to extraordinary power of sight, it has 

 detected the head of a worm in the grass, when 

 it flies off, settles on the ground, and approaches 

 the worm in the same fashion as the thrush, 

 before mentioned. 



When alighting on the post the bird has not 

 the same grip, but the poise is equally true. 

 It will also be noted that the young birds, 

 before they have acquired the red breast- 

 feathers, are quite as efficient. 



There are some birds, such as blackbirds, 

 woodpigeons, magpies, etc., when coming to 

 the perch, throw up their tails as if for the 

 purpose of steadpng themselves after having 

 slightly overshot the mark. This action is 

 deceptive, for it has nothing to do with equili- 

 brium, but is an impulsive " display," and 

 occurs slowly and deliberately after the bird 

 has come to rest. This " show-off " is often 



