56 
THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT. 
During the winter, according to Mr. Audubon, the robin 
feeds on the berries and fruits of our woods, gardens, and 
fields, and even of the ornamental trees of our cities and larger 
towns. The holly, sweet gum, gallberry, and the poke are 
those it first attacks; but as these fail, it feeds on the 
mountain ash, Carolinian cherry, and the azedarach. On the 
latter, in their annual migrations to Florida and the Southern 
States, these birds often glut themselves to such an inordinate 
degree, that they are sometimes found stupified by its narcotic 
power. In spring and summer, they devour worms and 
snails. They' also pick up from the fields the seeds of 
maize. 
In confinement, this bird feeds on bread soaked either in 
water or milk, and on most kinds of our native and edible 
fruits. Being equally fond of insects as when at liberty, he 
seizes on all that enter his cage, or come within his reach. 
The robin is comparatively a hardy and long-lived bird, 
and instances are reported of its having been kept for nearly 
twenty years. It suffers much in moulting, even in a wild 
state, and when in captivity, it loses nearly all its feathers at 
once. In general, when due care is observed to cleanliness, it 
is freer from parasitic vermin than most other species. 
