50 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
ered band stands a redbreast, which all but speaks 
in return for several years of kind treatment from 
its master. This bird, when called upon, will fly 
from the farthest part of the garden at which it 
can hear his voice, alight upon his hand, and at 
once and without any apprehension pick its meat, 
and then often will sit on his shoulder as he works 
or walks, and nestle in his bosom in well-known 
security. Nay, more, when the gardener comes to 
town, if the robin, by any chance, espies him as he 
departs, it gives him an escort, chirping and flutter- 
ing along the hedge before him till he reaches the 
toll-bar at Alio way Place; on which, or on a tree 
near it, Robin perches himself till his master returns. 
This bird attends its master when he goes to church, 
and waits at its station till both forenoon and after- 
noon services are performed ; and is equally polite on 
market-days, when, so soon as it sees him coming, it 
flies to meet him, and fluttering before him, beckons 
him homeward all the way/ ” 
“ What a funny little robin !” laughed Edith. 
“ Here are some funny nests,” continued Miss Har- 
son. “ The same English writer says : ‘ Birds, espe- 
cially those which are familiar with mankind, fre- 
quently choose odd situations for building in. A 
robin lately began its nest in a myrtle which was 
placed ill the hall of a house belonging to a friend 
