114 
TURDUS MIGRATORIUS. 
fat, they are in considerable esteem for the table, and 
probably not inferior to the turdi of the ancients, 
which they bestowed so much pains on in feeding* and 
fattening. The young birds are frequently and easily 
raised, bear the confinement of the cage, feed on bread, 
fruits, &c. sing well, readily learn to imitate parts of 
tunes, and are very pleasant and cheerful domestics. In 
these I have always observed that the orange on the 
breast is of a much deeper tint, often a dark mahogany 
or chestnut colour, owing, no doubt, to their food and 
confinement. 
The robin is one of our earliest songsters ; even in 
March, while snow yet dapples the fields, and flocks of 
them are dispersed about ; some few will mount a 
post or stake of the fence, and make short and frequent 
attempts at their song. 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 ( tardus rufus ) ; 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 asso- 
ciation 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 discovery of a robin’s. Whether 
he owes not some little of this veneration to the well 
bead tree ( melia azaderach ) in such large quantities, that, after 
eating of them, they are observed to fall down, and are readily taken. 
This is ascribed more to distension from abundant eating than from 
any deleterious qualities of the plant.” 
