The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-04-20
Gle Ornilbolooist.
THE ROBIN.

This well known bird, being familiar 10
almost everybody. requires no description
A brief account of its habits. as laid down by
Wilson in his Ornithology, may be interesting
to the lovers of Nature. A more intimate
acquaintance with the feathered tribes that
visit our fields and forests could not fail we
think, as a corrective Of the morbid appetite
which is too maEifcstedly prevalent, particu-
larry among the younger portion of our pres
cnt generation. The present era of doubl :
barreled guns is one of disaster to the beant-
full and innocent songsters, which come with
the soft blush and baln,y fragrance of Spring
to cheer us with their sylvan notes. He that
finds pleasure in killing the innocent little
place before him such examples of love and
harmony, of peace and goodwill, is but
partially redeemed from the barbarian age,
and is fit companion Tor him who 9. hath no
music in his soII.''
The name OF this bird bcspsaks him bird
of passage, as are all tbs different species of
Thru>hes We have but the one We are now
discussing, being more unsettled, and con-
tinnally rowing about from one region to
another during the Fall and Winter, seems
particularly entitled TO the appelIaton..-
Scarce Winter passes but thousands Of them
are seen in the lower parts of the whole
Atlantic States, from New Hampshire to
Carolina, particularly in the nrighborhood OF
our towns: and, from the circumstance of
their leaving. during that season. the country
of the north.west of the great range of the
Allegany, from Mary land nurthward, it would
appear that they not only migrate from north
to south, but from west to east, to avoid the
deep SHOWS that generally prevail on these
high regions for at least four months in the
year.
III" Robin builds large nest, often on an
apple tree, plasters it in the Inside with mud
and lines it with hay or fine grass. The female
lays five eggs, Of a beautiful sea green.-
Their principal food is berries. worms and
caterpiars OF the first he prefers those Of
the sour-gum; so fond are they of the gum
berries that wherever there is one Of these
trees covered with fruit, and nocks Of Robins
in the neighborhood. the sportsman need
only take his stand near it. load take aim
aud fire; one flock succeeding another with
Little interruption almost the whole day. By
this way great slaughter has been made among
them with little fatigue. When berries fail
they dispense themselves over the fields and
"A Ina in, ,,,h
other insects. Sometimes they will disappear
for week or two, and return again in greater
numbers than before. When fat, they are in
considerable esteem for the table, and pro-
baby not inferior to the Turdi of the ancients
which they bestowed So much pains on in
feeding and iattenng. The young birds are
frequently and easily raised, bear the con-
iinement of the cage. feed on bread, fruits.
&c, sing well readily learn to initiate parts
Of tunes, and are very pleasant and cheerful
dumcsiicS.
The Robin is one of onr earliest songsters :;
even In March, while snow yet dapples the
n Ids, and Hooks of them are dispersed about
some few will mount a post or stake of the
fence, and make short and frequent attempts
at their song. Early in April they are only
to be seen in pairs, and deliver their notes
with great earnestncss from the top Of some
tree detached from the woods. This song
has some embance to, and indeed is no
bad imitation of, the notes Of the Trush but
1t deficient inpoint Of execution, he possesses
~ mi, ia
he lacks in talent; 60 that the notes of the
R'bln IN Spring are universally known, and
as universally beloved. They are, as it were
the prelude to the grand. general concert that
is about to burst upon us from fields. woods
and thickets, whi;ened with blossoms and
breathing fragrance. BY the usual associa-
ton of ideas We. therefore, listen with more
pleasure to this cheerful bird than to many
others possessed of far superior powers and
much greater variety. Even his NEST is held
more sacred among schoolboys than that of
some Others; and, while they will cxult in
plnndering jays or Cat birds a general
sentiment Of respect prevails on the discovery
ola Robins. Whether he owes not some of
this vencration to the well known and long
established character of his namcsake in
Britain, by a like association of ideas, we will
not pretend to determine. lie possesses il
good deal of suavity of manners and almost
always seeks shelter for his young in Sum-
mer, and subsistence for himself in the
extremes of inter, near the habitaions OF
man.
The Robin inhabits nearly the whole oil
North America, from Hudson Bay to Nootka
Sound, and as far south as Georgia; though
they rarely breed on this side the mountains
farther south than Virginia. They are also
common in Newfoundland, quitting those
northern parts in October.
Several authors have asserted that the red.
breasted Thrush cannot brook the coniine.
mcnt OF the cage, and never sings in that
state. But except the Mocking Bird, we
knnw of no native bird which is 50 frequently
domesticated, agrees better with contine-
ment, or sings in that state more agreeably
than the Robin. In passing through the
streets of our large cities, on Sundays, in the
months of April and May. a little after day.
break. the general silence which usually pre-
walls without at that hour. will enable You to
Distinguish every house where one Of these
songsters resides, as he makes it then ring
with his music.