as may have fallen on the floor, but they soon throw off 
this reserve, and what at first they obtain by permission, 
they presently seem to claim as their right ; they in short 
soon become troublesome, and are scarcely to be frightened 
away; should by chance two find their way into the same 
room, they immediately begin fighting ; they are at all 
times of a jealous quarrelsome disposition, which often- 
times occasions their captivity. Persons in the practice 
of catching these birds, place one in a cage, the outside of 
which is besmeared with birdlime, and fix the cage in a 
situation likely to be seen by the wild birds ; as soon as the 
prisoner hears the note of another bird, it begins to chirp, 
and the wild Robins immediately repair to the spot and fly 
on the cage eager for a contest, the confined one instigated 
by the same passion, flies to the side of the cage, and does 
all in its power to injure its adversary, who presently be- 
comes fatigued, owing to its wings being clogged with the 
birdlime ; the person engaged in the pursuit, soon puts an 
end to the contest, by taking away the bird now rendered 
incapable of flying, and the one in confinement is again 
ready for action. 
In the autumn they keep close at the heels of the 
gardener, examining the earth as it is turned over with 
scrutinizing eye, for the lava of small insects or worms ; 
we have repeatedly observed them alight on the shoulder of 
a person engaged in a garden, they will also come on 
being called ; these habits have in most countries given it 
familiar names, "about Bornholm it is called Tommi 
Liden ; in Norway, Peter Ronsinad ; in Germany, Thomas 
Geirdner ^ and with us Robin Redbreast or Ruddock." 
