454 
SKETCHES OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
There is another instance of the usefulness of the robin as a pointer, 
in showing by his action where a mole is at work. Whether a mole 
be running along an old tunnel, or forming a new one by throwing up 
the loose earth in a hill upon the surface, the worms, the natural prey 
of the mole, feeling his presence, try to escape from him either by 
sinking down to the bottom of their holes, or rising out upon the surface 
of the ground. These last are espied by the robin, who quickly riots 
in a full meal. Many a mole has been taken by the writer, who was 
led to the spot by this indication of their presence, afforded by the 
robin hopping about the place of the mole’s operations or movements. 
Upon the whole, the redbreast is a useful bird about a garden, and 
therefore should, by all means, be encouraged to build and breed within 
the walls and precincts. No fears need be entertained that they will 
become too numerous ; their natural antipathy to each other, and love 
of sole dominion, will always cause their dispersion from any one spot. 
This circumstance reflects no credit on the personal character of the 
robin, for, though no one is more convinced that this little bird is 
a friend to the gardener, the truth must be told, however contrary to 
the general feeling in the robin’s behalf. In a word, he is a bad neigh¬ 
bour—an unsociable and domineering relative to his own and every 
other tribe of small birds ; his apparent confidence in man is audacity—* 
his familiarity downright impudence. 
Of the Wren (Anorthura troglodytes ').—This is (except the gold- 
crested wren) the smallest British bird, and seems very equally dis¬ 
tributed over the whole face of the country, wherever there are 
buildings, woods, or broken ground. They are entirely insectivorous, 
and in this respect are as useful in gardens as the robin; but their 
character is far more amiable, and they deserve to be cherished and 
protected wherever they have chosen to sojourn. 
Innocent, industrious, and always sprightly, they are indeed at 
all times the very picture of vivacity. Whether seeking their own 
food, building their compactly-formed arched nest, or feeding their 
young, they are indefatigable—always in motion, and there is a brisk¬ 
ness in their action which is highly amusing. 
Soon as the first gleams of spring begin to awaken vegetation, the 
wren is one of the first to hail the return of the genial season. His 
sprightly strain, though short, is frequently repeated, and with such 
energy, that, though small and shrill his pipe, he makes the hollow 
woods resound. It is a song of love as well as of joy; and so peculiar, 
that it cannot be mistaken for that of any other bird. 
Like the robin, the wren is also an alarmist if any enemy of the 
feathered tribes be in sight. To cats, stoats, or weazles, he is a most 
