The Western Robin 
Taken in Idaho 
When the Robin is much given to half-whispered notes and strains 
unusually tender, one may suspect the near presence of his fiancee. If 
you are willing to waive the 
proprieties for a few moments 
you will hear low murmurs 
of affection and soft blan¬ 
dishments, which it would tax 
the art of a Crockett to re¬ 
produce. And again, nothing 
can exceed the sadness of 
a Robin’s lament over a lost 
mate. All the virtues of the 
deceased are set forth in a 
coronach of surpassing woe, 
and the widower declares him¬ 
self forever comfortless. It 
is not well, of course, to in¬ 
quire too particularly as to 
the duration of this bereaved 
state—we are all human. 
The Robin is an ardent 
lover, no doubt of that; and 
by the same token he is will¬ 
ing to back up his claims 
against all comers. Before 
Robins have become com¬ 
mon about the streets and 
yards of a mountain village, 
partners have usually been 
selected; but there still re¬ 
mains for many of the cocks 
hard-contested battles before 
peaceful possession is assured. 
These are not sham fights 
either; a Robin will fight a 
hated rival beak and claw, 
PhotobyRust till he is either thoroughly 
A PROMISING LAD ' . , , , , . , , 
winded or killed outright. 
And he is no less brave as the head of a family or as an upright 
neighbor. No other protestations, as of invaded nesting rights, have 
quite the moral earnestness of Robin’s. (I should hate to gather Robins’ 
eggs for a living!) 
764 
