ROBIN. 



37 



they had become unwholesome, and even dangerous food ; and that 

 several persons had suffered by eating of them. The strange ap^ 

 pearance of the bowels of the bh^ds seemed to corroborate this ac^ 

 count. The demand for, and use of them ceased almost instantly ; 

 and motives of self-preservation produced at once what all the 

 pleadings of humanity could not effect.^ When fat they are in 

 considerable esteem for the table, and probably not inferior to the 

 turdii of the ancients, which they bestowed so much pains on in 

 feeding and fattening. The young birds are frequently and easily 

 raised, bear the confinement of the cage, feed on bread, fruits, &c. 

 sing well, readily learn to imitate parts of tunes, and are very plea- 

 sant and cheerful domestics. In these I have always observed that 

 the orange on the breast is of a much deeper tint, often a dark 

 mahogany or chesnut color, owing no doubt to their food and con- 

 finement. 



The Robin is one of our earliest songsters; even in March, 

 while snow yet dapples the fields, and flocks of them are dispersed 

 about, some few will mount a post or stake of the fence, and make 

 short and frequent attempts at their song. Early in April, they 

 are only to be seen in pairs, and deliver their notes with great ear- 

 nestness, from the top of some tree detached from the woods. This 

 song has some resemblance to, and indeed is no bad imitation of 

 the notes of the Thrush or Thrasher (Turdus rufus) ; but if defi- 

 cient in point of execution, he possesses more simplicity; and makes 

 up in zeal what he wants in talent ; so that the notes of the Robin, 

 in spring, are universally known, and as universally beloved. They 

 are as it were the prelude to the grand general concert, that is about 



* Governor Drayton in his " View of South Carolina," p. 86, observes, that the 

 Robins in winter devour the berries of the Bead tree {Melia Azedarach), in such large quan- 

 tities, that after eating of them they are observed to fall down, and are readily taken. This 

 is ascribed more to distention from abundant eating than from any deleterious qualities of the 

 plant." The fact, however is, that they are literally choked, many of the berries being too 

 large to be swallowed. 



