THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 
55 
the well-known legend, so oft repeated in our juvenile days, 
of the 44 favorite Robin Redbreast,” said to have covered 
with a leafy shroud the lost and wandering “ babes in 
the wood.” He is commonly called “ robin,” though there 
is but little resemblance between him and his European 
congener, except in the single circumstance of his having 
a red breast. 
EUROPEAN ROBIN. 
The American robin, when reared in a cage, is of a lively 
and gentle disposition, docile, and seemingly content, and the 
melody and simplicity of his song, of which he is very lavish 
in confinement, renders him a special favorite. He sings well, 
readily learns to imitate lively parts of airs, and on the 
authority of Mr. Nuttall, some have been taught to pipe forth 
psalms even to so solemn a measure as that of 44 Old Hundred!” 
He also acquires a considerable capacity for mimickry, 
imitating the notes of many of the birds around him, as 
those of the pe-wee, blue bird, and whip-poor-will. At times, 
he becomes very tame, and will go in and out of the house 
with domestic confidence, appear uneasy when left alone, and 
will follow his owner, come to her call, peck at her finger, or 
kiss her mouth, with seeming pleasure. His principal song, 
both in confinement and at large, commences in the morning 
before sunrise, and at which time it is very loud, emphatic, 
and full. 
The rufous color of the breast becomes deeper in those 
birds brought up in confinement, and the females are somewhat 
paler than the males. The young, during the first season, are 
j| spotted on the breast with dusk and white. ^ 
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