38 



ROBIN 



to burst upon us from woods, fields and thickets, whitened with 

 blossoms, and breathing fragrance. By the usual association of 

 ideas, we therefore listen with more pleasure to this cheerful bird 

 than to many others possessed of far superior powers, and much 

 greater variety. Even his nest is held more sacred among school- 

 boys than that of some others ; and while they will exult in plun- 

 dering a Jay^s or a Catbird^s, a general sentiment of respect pre- 

 vails on the discovery of a Robin's. Whether he owes not some 

 little of this veneration to the well known and long established 

 character of his namesake in Britain, by a like association of ideas, 

 I will not pretend to determine. He possesses a good deal of his 

 suavity of manners ; and almost always seeks shelter for his young 

 in summer, and subsistence for himself in the extremes of winter, 

 near the habitations of man. 



The Robin inhabits the whole of North America from Hud- 

 son's bay to Nootka sound, and as far south as Georgia, tho they 

 rarely breed on this side the mountains farther south than Virginia. 

 Mr. Forster says, that about the beginning of May they make their 

 appearance in pairs at the settlements of Hudson's bay, at Severn 

 river; and adds, a circumstance altogether unworthy of belief, viz. 

 that at Moose fort they build, lay and hatch in fourteen days ! but 

 that at the former place, four degrees more north, they are said to 

 take twenty-six days.^ They are also common in Newfoundland, 

 quitting these northern parts in October. The young during the 

 first season are spotted with white on the breast, and at that time 

 have a good deal of resemblance to the Fieldfare of Europe. 



Mr. Hearne informs us, that the red-breasted Thrushes, are 

 commonlv called at Hudson's bav the Red-birds ; by some the Black- 

 birds, on account of their note ; and by others the American Field- 

 fares. That they make their appearance at Churchill river about 

 the middle of May ; and migrate to the south early in the fall. They 



* Phil. Trans. Ixii, 399. 



