OUR HOME BIRDS. 
51 
of mine in Hampshire. As the situation was con- 
sidered rather an exceptionable one, the nest was 
removed. The bird then began to build another on 
the cornice of the drawing-room, but as this was also 
objected to for obvious reasons, it was not allowed 
to be completed. The robin, thus baffled in two at- 
tempts, began a third nest in a new shoe which was 
placed on a shelf in a dressing-room. Here it was 
permitted to go on with its work until the nest was 
completed ; but as the new shoe was likely to be 
wanted, and as it would not be benefited by being 
used as a cradle for young birds, the nest was care- 
fully taken out and deposited in an old shoe, which 
was put in the situation of the new one. Here what 
remained to be done to the nest was completed ; the 
under part of the shoe was filled up with oak-leaves, 
the eggs were deposited in the nest, and in due time 
hatched, the windows of the room being always left a 
little open for the entrance and egress of the birds. 
My friend informed me that it was pleasing to see 
the great confidence the robins placed in him. Some- 
times, while he was shaving in the morning, the old 
birds would settle on the top of his glass, having 
worms in their mouths ; nor did they appear in the 
least alarmed at his presence.’ 
“ Then, again, he says : ‘ I have heard of a pair of 
robins having built their nest in a pew of the church 
