34 
THE ROBIN. 
Early in April, they are only to be seen in pairs, and deliver 
their notes with great earnestness, from the top of some tree 
detached from the woods. This song has some resemblance 
to, and indeed is no bad imitation of, the notes of the thrush 
or thrasher ( Turdus rvfus ;) but, if deficient in point of 
execution, he possesses more simplicity, and makes up in zeal 
what he wants in talent ; so that the notes of the robin, in 
spring, are universally known, and as universally beloved. 
They are, as it were, the prelude to the grand general concert 
that is about to burst upon us from woods, fields, and thickets, 
whitened with blossoms, and breathing fragrance. By the 
usual association of ideas, we therefore listen with more 
pleasure to this cheerful bird, than to many others possessed 
of far superior powers, and much greater variety. Even his 
nest is held more sacred among schoolboys than that of some 
others; and, while they will exult in plundering a jay’s or a 
cat bird’s, a general sentiment of respect prevails on the dis- 
covery of a robin’s. Whether he owes not some little of this 
veneration to the well known and long established character 
of his namesake in Britain, by a like association of ideas, 
I will not pretend to determine. He possesses a good deal of 
his suavity of manners ; and almost always seeks shelter for 
his young in summer, and subsistence for himself in the 
extremes of winter, near the habitations of man. 
The robin inhabits the whole of North America, from 
Hudson’s Bay to Nootka Sound, and as far south as Georgia, 
though they rarely breed on this side the mountains farther 
south than Virginia. Mr Forster says, that about the 
beginning of May they make their appearance in pairs at the 
suited to their duties at that season. We also see another wonderful provision, 
both for the migratory species and those which subsist as they best can 
during the winter, in the preservation of the berries and fruits fresh and 
juicy under the snow. Were it not for this, the ground, on the melting of its 
covering, would present a more desolate appearance than in the extremest 
storms of winter, and all animal life would inevitably perish, for want of food, 
before the various and abundant plants could flower and perfect their fruits. — E d. 
