THE ROBIN, OR REDBREAST. 115 
tions to a few remarks on its form and habits. 
A marked peculiarity in the manners of this 
bird is its familiarity. A constant attendant on 
the works of man, it follows him during his out 
of door avocations, and enters his dwellings, as 
if conscious of the general feeling with which it 
is beheld, and unsuspicious of the possibility of 
being entrapped by the closing of his doors or 
windows. This may be accounted for both by 
a disposition to sociality with mankind and cul- 
tivation, undoubtedly innate to many tribes of 
creatures, and particularly to the ruminantia and 
the rasores, which this bird, in its own circle, 
will partly represent, and it may be also attracted 
by the prospect of food which instinct teaches 
will be found in his vicinity. Certain it is, 
however, that the woodman, labouring in the 
most secluded forest, where scarcely a moving 
thing is visible, will soon perceive a Robin, 
perhaps a pair, cautiously approaching by short 
flights and uttering their single watch-note, and 
which, if unnoticed and undisturbed, will soon 
take up a position within a few yards, occa- 
sionally flitting down to gather the insects or 
worms disturbed by his operations upon the 
matted ground. When the weather becomes 
severe, many are drawn towards our houses, 
entering for warmth and to collect food. At 
first they are wary and watchful, but if unmo- 
lested, and allowed a free egress, they will take 
up their abode in a room or lobby for a month 
at a time, selecting a roosting place on the 
