By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 



169 



among shrubs, and if there is a pile of old wood lying about the 

 yard, there you may invariably see its dusky figure, as it seeks a 

 scanty subsistence, not disdaining to search for food at the bottom 

 of drains and gutters, for pride has no part in its composition, not 

 one of all the race being so modest and humble as this. Its song 

 though not loud nor continuous, is sweet, but chiefly prized for the 

 season at which it may be heard; it sings indeed all the year 

 through, but in winter amid piercing winds and frost and snow it 

 is refreshing to hear the warblings of this little bird, as it sits 

 perched on some shrub or bush'; while, as the spring advances and 

 brings in troops of other and louder warblers, nobody notices the 

 poor Hedge Accentor amidst the flood of music which then abounds. 

 There is one exception here however, for at this season the cuckoo 

 singles out the Hedge Warbler and shows its appreciation of its 

 domestic qualities, by the doubtful compliment of selecting its nest 

 oftener than^that of any other bird wherein to deposit her egg. 



" Redbreast." (Sylvia rubecula.) Not only in England, but 

 throughout Northern Europe, in Sweden and Norway, Russia, 

 and Germany, the Redbreast is a favourite, and has a name of en- 

 dearment : with us he is Robin; in Sweden he is Tommy; in 

 Norway and Russia, Peter ; and in Germany, Thomas ; but in 

 Italy and France he shares the fate of all other birds, little as well 

 as big, and is mercilessly killed and eaten. Mr. Waterton says he 

 has counted more than fifty lying dead on one stall at Rome, so 

 that it is no wonder English travellers complain of the silence of 

 the woods and fields in France and Italy, and lament the absence 

 of the varied members of the feathered race which cheer and en- 

 liven us at home. Now I have often heard it asked, why the Red- 

 breast is so great a favourite ? and its confidence in man has been 

 regarded as the result of its immunity from persecution, but I ap- 

 prehend this is mistaking the cause for the effect ; for this above 

 all other birds is by nature tame and familiar with man, fearlessly 

 venturing close to him, and by its very confidence begetting the 

 protection which its innocence and bravery seem to claim : for that 

 indeed must be a bad and cruel heart, which could abuse such an 

 appeal, and long may our village children, and indeed all of every 



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