558 Birds. 



them. In this immunity enjoyed by the redbreast the wren partially 

 shares, for it has ever been a popular idea that the wren is the robin's 

 wife. Hence the old rhyme : — 



" Malisons, malisons mair than ten, 

 That herry the Ladie o' Heeven's hen ; 

 The rohin and the wren 

 Are God's bird and hen.'' 



Owing to the universal acquaintance of the people of Scotland with 

 the beautiful story of the ' Babes in the Wood,' the feeling of sanctity 

 with which the redbreast was wont to be regarded, has gradually 

 given place to a kindred emotion — that of love. The entire confi- 

 dence with which this bird makes man his friend during the wild 

 days of winter, and the idea, as Isaac Walton expresses it, that the 

 " honest robin loves mankind both alive and dead," impressed upon 

 the minds of our youth by the tale already referred to, has awakened 

 a feeling of affection towards it in the human breast. Accordingly 

 the Robinet is a universal favourite : for who could find it in his heart 

 to hurt the pretty creature which cheers our homes by his sweet win- 

 ter song, and which, our fathers told us, took compassion on the poor 

 little babes who were persecuted by their cruel relative. 



I know not why the lark and the linnet should share, more than 

 others, in the privileges of the redbreast. But such seems to be the 

 case, for we often hear sung : — 



" The laverock and the lintie ; 

 The robin and the wren ; 

 If ye herry their nests, 

 Ye'll ne'er thrive again." 



In a preceding paragraph it was stated that the redbreast and the 

 wren are understood by the common people to be husband and wife. 

 This is evident from the following ridiculous verse : — 



" The robin redbreast and the wren 

 Coost out about the supper pan ; 

 And or the robin gat a spune, 

 Kitty had the supper dune." 



A prejudice, the very opposite to that spoken of above, is prevalent 

 respecting the gold-ring or yellow-hammer. The idea that it is in 

 league with the devil is very general in Scotland. Boys here almost 

 invariably stone the poor creature when they see it; and should a yel-, 

 low bunting's nest with young in it fall in their way, woe be to the 



