The Bobin Bedbreast. 45 



he had satisfied his appetite, to his coign of vantage, whence 

 he gaily warbled a cheerful little song of thanksgiving. 



That was the second winter, the attendant said, that he 

 had favoured them with his company. How did she know 

 that it was the same bird? Oh! readily: the first time he 

 came in he seemed quite at a loss where to settle down, 

 flying hither and thither as if in search of a secure resting 

 place; but when he came for the second season, he had dis- 

 appeared in the spring, he perched directly on that very 

 bottle, which he had finally selected as his perch, and sang 

 as if he was glad to be at home again. Did any other Eobins 

 ever try to come in? Tes, lots of them, but Bobbie drove 

 them all away, evidently thinking that possession was not 

 only nine points but all 'the law. 



Tes, the Eobin is by no means an amiable, or a sociable 

 bird, but fights so fiercely with his rival, as to become insen- 

 sible to danger, not seldom falling a prey to marauding cats 

 while engaged in battle with his foe. I once captured two 

 of these birds, that were so intent upon the settlement of 

 their dispute, that they never noticed me, until I had taken 

 them both in my hand; and so deep was their hatred of each 

 other, that they actually renewed the contest in the cage to 

 which I had transferred them, but where I did not keep 

 them long, as I loosed, first one, and then the other; when 

 let out, they made it up, and became good friends again. 



It is impossible to keep two of these birds in the same 

 aviary, or indeed with any birds weaker than themselves, for 

 they are exceedingly tyrannical and quarrelsome, fighting 

 bitterly even with the females of the same species, except 

 during the breeding season, when no bird could be a more 

 devoted husband than Eobin. 



The song of the Eobin Eedbreast is very pleasing and agree- 

 able, the more so that it is most frequently heard when other 

 songsters are silent. 



This bird requires a good deal of attention in the matter 



