KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



377 



elevation, exclusive of the tops of the foliage, 

 not exceeding three feet. 



Towards one of these, we have for some 

 time had our attention directed by the con- 

 stant entrance and exit of a pair of Kobins, 

 — a pair of such exquisitely-formed birds 

 as perhaps were hardly ever before seen. 

 Having a very great objection to interfere 

 with, or pry into the minute operations of 

 the feathered tribe when performing the 

 duties of incubation, we have on all occa- 

 sions merely bowed to these parents in posse, 

 or whistled to them in passing, — not caring 

 too closely to scrutinise their move- 

 ments. We will now show how we have 

 been " rewarded " for this act of dis- 

 cretion on our part ; and how we have been 

 taken into the fullest confidence of the 

 " happy pair, 1 ' — now the parents in esse of a 

 " happy family." 



On the morning of Sunday last, we were 

 preparing to take our usual walk to church, 

 when we saw both the papa and mamma of 

 whom we speak, perched on a rod of iron 

 immediately opposite the window. The 

 object of this iron rod, we should remark, is 

 to sustain the weight of an awning, or sun- 

 blind, when the heat is oppressive. 



Each of the robins had in its mouth a 

 small worm ; and each was evidently striving 

 hard to catch the eye of the master and 

 mistress of the house. There could be no 

 mistake about this. We knew well, from 

 by-gone experience, what the " game" was, 

 and what was about to follow. We there- 

 fore at once obeyed the signals, and kept a 

 steady eye upon the performers in this most 

 interesting drama. 



Mamma was the first to move in the 

 matter. Descending from her seat aloft, she 

 flew on the ground below, towards one of 

 the mounds of rock-work. These being- 

 well and thickly planted between their inter- 

 stices with flowers, shrubs and evergreens, 

 all beneath was concealed from view. Her 

 little majesty now trotted up with immense 

 importance (her carriage was worthy of a 

 queen dowager in olden times), and artfully 

 darting in between the leaves of a cuba, 

 disappeared from sight. Papa also followed 

 with similar dignity and agility — and WE 

 joined in the rear. 



Carefully removing the wide-spreading leaf 

 of an umbrageous Saxifraga cordifolia, 

 under which her ladyship had found access 

 to her hiding-place — we saw (not eighteen 

 inches from the ground, and between some 

 pieces of brick-work which had been dis- 

 placed) one of the most beautifully-con- 

 structed nests that can be imagined ! Within, 

 were eight inmates ; all in a state of the most 

 helpless infantine innocence, having been 

 only recently hatched. 



The delight of the parent birds, when the) 7 



watched our surprise and pleasure (true 

 physiognomists are your little birds !), 

 cannot be expressed in words. No fear had 

 they, — no unjust suspicions, — no anticipa- 

 tions of evil ; but they flew in, and flew out 

 with the greatest confidence, knowing that 

 in us they had a true friend. 



Day by day have we noted the progress 

 of these little fellows, and they have thriven 

 marvellously. No wonder, however, needs to 

 be expressed about this; for their parents 

 bring them in, every two or three minutes, 

 such a succession of luxuries that they must 

 get fat, as they eat them all ! 



We may, and ought to mention, that 

 though we frequently peep in at, and talk 

 to the parent birds when seated on their 

 nest brooding their young, yet have we 

 never put forth our hand to touch them, 

 or given them reason to suspect treachery. 

 We are aware that many tame birds have 

 suddenly ceased to become so, in conse- 

 quence of this breach of good manners, and 

 invasion of the tacit treaty of good faith. 

 We name it here, emphatically, as we feel 

 sure our readers will thank us for the timely 

 hint. 



The anecdote we have just recorded is 

 one of many, equally interesting, that take 

 place from time to time in our secluded 

 grounds. When we say that we rejoice in such 

 things, we say but the truth. Nor are we 

 ashamed to acknowledge publicly, that our 

 own feelings, thoughts, and actions, have 

 often been "hallowed" by a careful con- 

 sideration and minute observation of the 

 dumb creation. We have looked elsewhere 

 for " example," and have found little worth 

 following. We have turned our eyes upon 

 " the lower world," and there have we learned 

 much practical wisdom. The expression, — 

 " Go to the ant," &c, was not spoken with- 

 out much meaning;. 



Our Subscribers are reminded, that it 

 will be needful for them to order imme- 

 diately, through their respective Book- 

 sellers, any of the back numbers of this 

 Journal which they may require to com- 

 plete their Sets. 



At the end of the present Month, the 

 Stock will be made up into Volumes ; and 

 there may be, afterwards, some difficulty, if 

 not an impossibility, of obtaining any par- 

 ticular Number or Part that may be 

 wanted. 



DECISION OF CHAKACTEH. 



Kidd's Own Journal. 



To the Editor, — Sir, T am no flatterer; but 

 I think there is something due to you for the 

 extraordinary energy and perseverance you have 

 evinced, in carrying on your very excellent 



