Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-20

1 unquestionably may; but whether II
were the intention Of Providence that !
should sacrifice the one Tor the benefit
Of the other, may perhaps admit OF
doubt.
MY bird was now my constant attend
ant in the place where first we met, and
| pretended to weed when weeds no
longer grew there. Al first ! fed it
with the aIlment nature designed for IL;
but soon substituted crumbs OF bread.
This was in autumn Winter approach
ed; had two sticks fixed upright, and
third laid across for perch. Here
my robin awaited my coming into the
garden. Crumbs were always in my
hand; they were laid near the perch,
then more and more distant from it,
then at my feet, still my bird fed with
out fear. then held out my open
hand with the crumbs upon il; this was
making rather too free; my bird flew up
for each crumb it took, but would not
remain on my hand. BY this time its
plumage was perfect; Its back and wings
were ofthe shining brown, and its breast
of the orange red Of its species.
shall ever have greater faith in St.
Valentine than | have in some other
saints, since it is under his auspices that
birds are said to pair; for, on entering
my garden, on It. Valentines day, l
saw two robins sitting on the perch
| now perceived, for the first time, that
my bird was a female; her breast not
being Of quite SO deep colour as that
of her companion, and her aspect not
being so fierce.
Our acquaintance continued on the
accustomed footing till the beginning Of
August, when ] was absent for
month. On my return found my poor
bird reduced to skin and feathers; the
season had been dry, and worms scarce.
She flew instantly to my hand, and,
having eaten few crumbs, without the
ceremony Of retreating, she filled her
beak, and flew into a neighbouring
hedge, where her young brood, escaped
from the nest, but unable to procure
their own subsistence, were crying for
food. Aware Of the necessities of the
case, l remained while she made as
many trips as satisfied her offspring, and
she continued to supply them from my
hand till they were no longer under the
care of their parent.
In the ensuing winter my robin had
to suffer persecution, which would Ell
ther have destroyed her, or driven her
from the spot, if | had not come forward
as her companion. / frequently laid
her crumbs OF, the outside Of window,
which bad weather obliged me to shut
Immediately. Here she was always
pursued, with great ferocity, by a bird
of her own species. Both birds recog-
nized in me the protector of my feather
ed friend; If remained at the window
she ate in security, and the aggressor
took to its wings, if l retired, she few
away in terror, and her enemy took
possession of the field. This affords
some illustration of the vulgar notion
that the red-breasts of to years old kill
those of one. Nor are red-breasts the
only enemies which red-breasts have to
fear; for, if they are murderers, spar
rows are daring robbers. These would
not have injured her person; but l was
equally obliged to stand guard over her
provisions, which they would have de-
voured very quietly, while they were
obliging her to stand at distance.
Years have 70 lied. away; my robins
perch has fallen, and more domestic
intercourse has been established be-
tween myself and her. The room
through which pass to my drawing
room has window to the ground, and
near to this grows magnificent varie-
gated holly, of sixty years standing.
This holly has been the perch of my
bird. Here she has sat, watching for
me as l might pass through the room;
from this she has flown in a: the window
to feast on crumbs placed in small tray
on the carpet; and to this she has re-
treated, when satisfied, to warble a
sweet song of thanks for my bounty
Never has she been absent, summer or
winter, except while she was sitting on
her eggs.
When hunger was pressing, and l
did not Immediately attend its call, she
would fly to one Of the windows Of my
drawing room, and stretch up her little
neck to ask for bread. If this did not
attract my eye, she applied to my ear,
by hitting her beak against the glass,
and when she knew she had succeeded,
by my rising from my seat, she flew
back to the window ny the holly tree, by
which alone she was admitted. The
window opened, she flew through the
room, turned the angle Of the doorway
which led to the drawing room, and
perched on the table, at which sat,