AMERICAN ROBIN, OR MIGRATING THRUSH. 339 
ner the common Fieldfare migrates at a late season from 
the northern deserts of Siberia and Lapland to pass the 
winter in the milder parts of Europe. The Robin has 
no fixed time for migration, nor any particular rendez- 
vous ; they retire from the higher latitudes only as their 
food begins to fail, and so leisurely and desultory are 
their movements, that they make their appearance in 
straggling parties even in Massachusetts, feeding on win- 
ter berries, till driven to the south by deep and inundat- 
ing snows. At this season they swarm in the Southern 
States, though they never move in large bodies. The 
holly, prinos, sumach, smilax, candle-berry myrtle, and 
the Virginian juniper now afford them an ample repast in 
the winter, in the absence of the more juicy berries of 
autumn, and the insects and worms of the milder season. 
Even in the vicinity of Boston, flocks of Robins are seen, 
in certain seasons, assembling round open springs in the 
depth of winter, having arrived probably from the colder 
interior of the state ; and in those situations they are 
consequently often trapped and killed in great numbers. 
Towards the close of January, in South Carolina, the 
Robin, at intervals, still tuned his song ; and about the 
second week of March, in the Middle States, before the 
snows of winter have wholly disappeared, a few desultory 
notes are already given. As soon as the 10th of this 
month, they may, at times, also be heard in this part of 
New England. Early in April, however, at the close of 
the jealous contests, which are waged with obstinacy, 
they are only seen in pairs, and now, from the orchard or 
the edge of the forest, deliver their simple thrilling lays, 
in all the artless energy of true affection. This earnest 
song recalls to mind the mellow whistle of the Thrush,^ 
which, in the charming month of May, so sweetly rises 
* Turdus musicus, Lin. 
