THE ROBIN. 
35 
settlements of Hudson's Bay, at Severn River ; and adds a 
circumstance altogether unworthy of belief, viz. that, at 
Moose Fort, they build, lay, and hatch, in fourteen days ! 
but that at the former place, four degrees more north, they 
are said to take twenty-six days.* They are also common in 
Newfoundland, quitting these northern parts in October. The 
young, during the first season, are spotted with white on the 
breast, and at that time have a good deal of resemblance to 
the fieldfare of Europe. 
Mr Hearn e informs us, that the red-breasted thrushes are 
commonly called, at Hudson's Bay, the red birds — by some, 
the blackbirds, on account of their note — and by others, the 
American fieldfares ; that they make their appearance at 
Churchill River about the middle of May, and migrate to the 
south early in the fall. They are seldom seen there but in 
pairs ; and are never killed for their flesh, except by the 
Indian boys.f 
Several authors have asserted, that the red-breasted thrush 
cannot brook the confinement of the cage, and never sings in 
that state. But, except the mocking bird, ( Turdus polyglottus,) 
I know of no native bird which is so frequently domesticated, 
agrees better with confinement, or sings in that state more 
agreeably than the robin. They generally suffer severely in 
moulting time ; yet often live to a considerable age. A lady, 
who resides near Tarry town, on the banks of the Hudson, 
informed me, that she raised and kept one of these birds for 
seventeen years ; which sung as well, and looked as sprightly, 
at that age as ever ; but was at last unfortunately destroyed 
by a cat. The morning is their favourite time for song. In 
passing through the streets of our large cities, on Sunday, in 
the months of April and May, a little after daybreak, the 
general silence which usually prevails without at that hour, 
will enable you to distinguish every house where one of these 
songsters resides, as he makes it then ring with his music. 
* Phil. Trans . lxii. 899. 
f Journey to the Northern Ocean , p. 418, quarto. Lond. 1795. 
