THEIR FIRST YEAR’s MARRIED LIFE. 45 
most eminent respectability, and their domes- 
tic virtues have endeared them to all the com- 
munity to a degree unsurpassed by any other 
birds. Early in the past spring, they took 
up their abode in this grove, even before some 
of us had left our southern homes ; and in the 
interchange of the most affectionate caresses 
with each other, and friendly greetings with 
their neighbors, they passed the time away. 
Soon the period arrived for the preparation of 
their nest, and you all witnessed the assiduity, 
the eager industry, with which both these 
worthy birds labored in its preparation. When 
it was completed, and the eggs laid, none could 
excel Mr. Robin in the care and affection with 
which he attended his mate. Soon a beautiful 
and interesting group of chicks was ushered 
into existence, and all of us know how ten- 
derly they were provided for; their parents, 
worthy couple, labored incessantly through 
the livelong day, procuring for them the nicest 
and most delicate of food ; often endangering 
their lives to procure some morsel that they 
knew would be especially grateful to the appe- 
