98 THE WREN, THE HEDGE-SPARROW, 



taken place ; and her covering them would 

 have totally prevented such a movement on the 

 part of either of them. The whole narrative 

 is confused, and wants explanation. 



The last of this sweetly warbling trio, whose 

 habits I am attempting to describe, is pretty 

 cock-robin, the delight of our childhood, and 

 an object of protection in our riper years. 

 Wherever there is plenty of shelter for him, his 

 song may be heard throughout the entire year, 

 even in the midst of frost and snow. In the 

 whole catalogue of British birds, cock-robin is 

 the only one, which in his wild state can be 

 really considered familiar with man. Others 

 are rendered tame by famine and cold weather, 

 and will cautiously approach the spot where 

 food is thrown for them ; but the robin will ac- 

 tually alight upon your table, and pick up 

 crumbs on your own plate. When I have been 

 digging in the pleasure-ground, he has come 

 and sat upon my spade ; and by every gesture 

 proved his confidence. You cannot halt for 

 any moderate time in the wood, but cock-robin 

 is sure to approach, and cheer you with an in- 

 ward note or two ; and on such occasions he 

 has more than once alighted on my foot. This 



