16 AMERICAN ROBIN OR MIGRATORY THRUSH. 



and shoot the greater part of the day, so fast do the flocks of Robins succeed 

 each other. They are then fat and juicy, and afford excellent eating. 



During the winter they feed on the berries and fruits of our woods, fields, 

 gardens, and even of the ornamental trees. of our cities and villages. The 

 holly, the sweet-gum, the gall-berry, and the poke, are r those which they 

 first attack; but, as these fail, which is usually the case in January, they 

 come nearer the towns and farm-houses, and feed voraciously on the caperia 

 berry [Ilex caperia), the wild-orange berry (Primus carolinianus), and the 

 berries of the pride of India (Melia azedarach). With these they are often 

 choked, so that they fall from the trees, and are easily caught. When they 

 feed on the berries of the poke-plant, the rich crimson juices colour the 

 stomach and flesh of these birds to such an extent as to render their appear- 

 ance, when plucked, disagreeable; and although their flesh retains its usual 

 savour, many persons decline eating them. During summer and spring they 

 devour snails and worms, and at Labrador I saw some feeding on small 

 shells, which they probed or broke with ease. 



Toward the approach of spring they throw themselves upon the newly 

 ploughed grounds, into the gardens, and the interior of woods, the under- 

 growth of which has been cleared of grass by fire, to pick up ground-worms, 

 grubs, and other insects, on which, when perched, they descend in a pouncing 

 manner, swallowing the prey in a moment, jerking their tail, beating their 

 wings, and returning to their stations. They also now and then pick up the 

 seed of the maize from the fields. 



Whenever the sun shines warmly over the earth, the old males tune their 

 pipe, and enliven the neighbourhood with their song. The young also begin 

 to sing; and, before they depart for the east, they have all become musical. 

 By the 10th of April, the Robins have reached the Middle Districts; the 

 blossoms of the dogwood are then peeping forth in every part of the budding 

 woods; the fragrant sassafras, the red flowers of the maple, and hundreds of 

 other plants, have already banished the dismal appearance of winter. The 

 snows are all melting away, and nature again, in all the beauty of spring, 

 promises happiness and abundance to the whole animal creation. Then it is 

 that the Robin, perched on a fence-stake, or the top of some detached tree 

 of the field, gives vent to the warmth of his passion. His lays are modest, 

 lively, and ofttimes of considerable power; and although his song cannot be 

 compared with that of the Thrasher, its vivacity and simplicity never fail to 

 fill the breast of the listener with pleasing sensations. Every one knows 

 the Robin and his song. Excepting in the shooting season, he is cherished 

 by old and young, and is protected by all with anxious care. 



The nest of this bird is frequently placed on the horizontal branch of an 

 apple-tree, sometimes in the same situation on a forest-tree; now and then it 



