THE YOUNG NATUEALlST. 



109 



arrangement decided upon by such a committee would also have a fair chance of 

 acceptance, and of being, if not permament, at least the accepted arrangement 

 for many years to come. Then we want a Manual after that arrangement 

 and nomenclature, and we might rest and be thankful. If we cannot have 

 this, will not Mr. Kirby let us have the synonymic catalogue of Heterocera 

 he promised so long ago, or such portions of it as may now be ready. 



A ROBIN STORY. 



JOHN MACKAY. 



During severe winters, when the ground is frozen hard, or covered with 

 snow, and food is scarce in the hedgerows and fields, many of our little 

 feathered songsters, who remain at home to spend the cold and dreary 

 winter with us, soon find their way into the neighbourhood of villages and 

 towns, where they are sure to find food more plentiful than in the open 

 country. At such seasons it has often been noticed how tame and fearless 

 these little birds become, when hard pressed for want of food, and I have 

 heard many strange stories told on the subject. I take the liberty of adding 

 another to the list, which begun last winter, and I think it will not be the 

 least interesting on the subject. 



At a large paper mill in the neighbourhood of this city a pair of robins, 

 during last winter, were in the habit of taking shelter on cold and stormy 

 nights in the large store room, which is attached to the works. If the day 

 was cold they would find their way into the store room just before dark, and 

 in the morning, when the doors were opened, and it became sufficiently light 

 outside, they would leave the room to enjoy the few blinks of sunshine, 

 which were to be had without, and may be go in search of food. 



On very cold days when the country around was covered with snow, they 

 would not venture to remain long outside, but would seek some snug corner 

 within, where they would remain contentedly enjoying the warmth of the 

 place, until such time as the weather proved more favourable for going afield. 



The store room was a very large one and many workmen were constantly 

 busily engaged, receiving and delivering great packages of goods, yet, the 

 robins did not seem to be in the least afraid of the men, nor the great noise 

 of the place did not disturb them. The workmen, some of whom happily 

 were ornithologists, soon began to take a friendly interest in their little 

 visitors, and noticing the tameness of the birds endeavoured as much as 

 possible not to disturb them. When dinner-time came, the workmen would 

 invite the robins to share their repast by sprinkling crumbs on the floor, and 



