30 AMERICAN ROBIN. 
where the trees and undergrowth are not too dense. The Robin’s favorite haunts, 
however, are districts where woods and fields alternate, and where there are orchards 
and swampy meadows. It breeds even in wooded swamps, especially where evergreens 
and deciduous trees grow together. In the cultivated parts of the entirely treeless 
western prairies, the Robin has become abundant since orchards were planted. 
In Wisconsin and other Northern States the Robin will begin to build its nest as 
early as the middle of April, providing the weather is fair. In southwestern Missouri 
it commences as early as the end of March. I have found the nests at a height of from 
two to thirty feet from the ground, in the most various positions and situations; on 
trees, on high stumps, in the roots matted together with soil of trees prostrated by 
storms, in corners of rail fences, on rafters and under the eaves of old and uninhabited 
log-cabins, in sheds and old barns, on all kinds of fruit and ornamental trees, in bowers 
formed by the wild grape and other climbing plants, &c. With decided preference it 
selects a nesting site in the dense coniferous trees now so generally used in ornamental 
gardening. It probably chooses such places because the nest is more protected from 
cats, than in other situations. It is remarkable that such an intelligent bird as the 
Robin does not always display the necessary precaution in’ selecting a spot for its nest, 
for the structure is sometimes built in a very exposed part of a tree, so that it may be 
seen from a distance, or it is located in the corners of rail fences close to a country 
road, or in the immediate vicinity. of a dwelling. Indeed, it is never very concealed and 
is one of the most easily found nests. The structure is composed externally of grass- 
blades, plant-stems, bark-strips, moss, and fine rootlets; then follows a layer of mud 
which is moulded into a smooth cup-shaped cavity lined with dried grasses. The eggs, 
numbering five on an average, are of a uniform, rich, greenish blue color, without 
spots. Only the female sits on the eggs and is not fed by the male, on which account 
it has to leave the nest a short time each day to look for food. At such times the male 
stands guard near the nest, singing his finest melodies. After about thirteen days breed- 
ing the young hatch, and are faithfully cared for and defended by both parents. The 
first brood is usually followed by a second and further south there is often a third. 
During the breeding season the male is all vigilance and no enemy can easily succeed 
in catching him off his guard. The loud and shrill warning note, which sounds some- 
what like “chips, chips,’’ announces the stealthily approaching cat, the skunk snuffing 
about in the undergrowth, as well as the raccoon roaming about among the boughs, 
and the hawk overhead gliding in large circles through the air. But the Robin is not 
content with uttering its screaming call of distress. It will courageously attack every 
intruder as soon as he approaches the nest. At-the male Robin’s alarm-note all the 
Robins nesting in the neighborhood assemble to take part in the contest. They try to 
frighten and defeat the enemy by screaming loudly, flitting to and fro with great 
rapidity, and going through other manoeuvres. Small intruders almost always retreat 
quickly. — While still a small boy in my native State, Wisconsin, I remember once climb- 
ing a pinestump about twelve feet high to examine a Robin’s nest built on its top. 
While I was climbing up, the angry pair whizzed past my face with loud screaming. 
The noise at once assembled two or three other pairs, and I was soon so courageously 
and persistently attacked by the birds, some flying right into my face, others whirring 
