ROBIN. 23 
seen in pairs, and deliver their notes with great earnestness, from the 
top of some tree detached from the woods. This song has some re- 
semblance to, and indeed is no bad imitation of, the notes of the 
Thrush or Thrasher, (T'urdus rufus ;) but, if deficient in point of execu- 
tion, he possesses more simplicity, and makes up in zeal what he wants 
in talent; so that the notes of the Robin, in spring, are universally 
known, and as universally beloved. They are, as it were, the prelude 
to the grand general concert that is about to burst upon us from 
woods, fields, and thickets, whitened with blossoms, and breathing 
fragrance. By the usual association of ideas, we, therefore, listen 
with more pleasure to this cheerful bird, than to many others possessed 
of far superior powers, and much greater variety. Even his nest is 
held more sacred among schoolboys than that of some others; and, 
while they will exult in plundering a Jay’s or a Cat Bird’s, a general 
sentiment of respect prevails on the discovery of a Robin’s. Whether 
he owes not some little of this veneration to the well-known and long- 
established character of his namesake in Britain, by a like association 
of ideas, [ will not pretend to determine. He possesses a good deal 
of his suavity of manners; and almost always seeks shelter for his 
young in summer, and subsistence for himself in the extremes of 
winter, near the habitations of man. 
The Robin inhabits the whole of North America, from Hudson’s 
Bay to Nootka Sound, and as far south as Georgia, though they rarely 
breed on this side the mountains farther south than Virginia. Mr. 
Forster says, that about the beginning of May they make their ap- 
pearance in pairs at the settlements of Hudson’s Bay, at Severn 
River; and adds a circumstance altogether unworthy of belief, viz. 
that, at Moose Fort, they build, lay, and hatch, in fourteen days! but 
that at the former place, four degrees more north, they are said to take 
twenty-six days.* They are also common in Newfoundland, quitting 
these northern parts in October. The young, during the first season, 
are spotted with white on the breast, and at that time have a good 
deal of resemblance to the Fieldfare of Europe. 
Mr. Hearne informs us, that the red-breasted Thrushes are commonly 
called, at Hudson’s Bay, the Red-Birds — by some, the Blackbirds, on 
of May; and Fort Franklin, in lat. 65°, on the 20th of that month. Those that 
build their nests in the 54th parallel of latitude, begin to hatch in the end of May; 
but 11° farther to the north, that event is deferred ull the 11th of June. The snow, 
even then, partially covers the ground; but there arc, in those high latitudes, 
abundance of the berries of Vuccinium uliginosum and Vitis idea, Arbutus alpina, 
Empetrum nigrum, and of some other plants, which, afier haying been frozen u| 
all winter, are exposed to the first melting of the snows, full of juice, and in high 
flavor: shortly after, the parents obtain abundance of grubs for their callow young.” 
We thus see the extreme regularity with which the migrations are performed, 
and cannot too mueh admire the power which enables them to perceive, and cal- 
culate so exactly, the time required for their journey to the climates best suited to 
their duties at that season. We also see another wonderful provision, both for the 
migratory species and those which subsist as they best can during the winter, in 
the preservation of the berries and fruits fresh and juicy under the snow. Were it 
not for this, the ground, on the melting of its covering, would present a more des- 
olate appearance than in the extremest storms of winter, and all animal life would 
inevitable perish, for want ol 90d, bef +2 the various and abundant plants could 
flower and perfect their fruity — En. 
* Phil. Trans. Ixii. 399. 
