30 REDPBREAST. 
died in a few days, and the body was carried off by the 
parent birds. The remaining four were regularly fed im 
the presence of the children, and in due time reared. Soon 
after their departure the old bird repaired the nest, and laid 
three more eggs, which she attended to with the same 
perseverance and success. We have often alluded to the 
frequent returns of birds to the same nests, and perhaps 
the most singular feature in this anecdote is that about twelve 
years ago a Robin built in that identical pigeon-hole. Why 
the visits were not renewed every year it is impossible to 
conjecture, but that the pair of the present year were either 
the same old birds, or young ones of the brood then reared 
in it, is more than probable, from the circumstance of this 
pigeon-hole being again selected, when others, forming the 
school library, within the same framework, would have equally 
suited the purpose. Another nest was constructed, and for 
two successive years, in a still more extraordinary situation, 
which we give, not on our own authority, but fully believing 
it corroborated, as it may in a manner be said to be, by the 
proofs of confidence already given. A few years ago, a pair 
of Robins took up their abode in the parish church of 
Hampton, in Warwickshire, and affixed their nest to the church 
Bible, as it lay on the reading-desk. The vicar would not 
allow the birds to be disturbed, and therefore supplied himself 
with another Bible, from which he read the lessons of the 
service. A similar instance occurred at Collingbourne Kingston 
Church, in Wiltshire, on the 18th. of April, 1834; the clerk, 
on looking out for the lessons of the day, perceived something 
under the Bible in the reading-desk, and in a hollow place, 
occasioned by the Bible’s resting on a raised ledge, found a 
Robin’s nest containing two eggs. The bird not having been 
disturbed, laid four more, which were hatched on the 4th. of 
May. The still more extraordinary part of the story is, that 
the cock bird actually brought food in its bill during Divine 
service, which is performed twice every Sunday; and it is 
further highly creditable to the parishioners, particularly the 
junior portion of them, that the birds were never molested, 
and not an attempt ever suspected to be made on the nest 
and eggs deposited in so hallowed a spot. We can remember, 
indeed, a Robin hopping more than once familiarly, as if aware 
how safe from peril it was at such a moment, upon our 
own Bible, as it lay open. before us, reading the lessons on 
Christmas-day.’ 
