Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-11-09
The Story of a Robin.

4 correspondent OF the London AtAcnaum
writes as follows:
Some years since robin frequen.ed mr. garden
IN she neighborhood Of Portsmouth,. While at
work, alone or with nv children, he would follow
ms about to obtain insects and other things from
the newly disturbed earth. / very regular in
going Gus after breakfast, when the weather per-
yrit,ed The little creature became aware OF this,
and generally found him perched on a buck
thorn tree. that grew just outside the door waiting
for me. As SOON ss | appeared hs would begin
Auttering his wings and showing other signs Of
pleasure. He would then move with me from
place to place until | began to work, when he
would settle down very near me, searching the
ground, as it WAS turned over, for food. We con-
tinued on these terms of Intimacy during the sum-
Iner. In the autumn he disappeared, but returned
again on the approach of winter. His proceedings
during this season were often amusing. At one
time another robin came about the parlor windows.
which seemed greatly to excite little friend.
and they had many pitched battles. Previous to
these ons cts they would advance along an sspara-
gus bed, in front of the window in parallel lines,
and when sOmc crumbs were thrown eat the con
fict would commence. Whilst they we're fighting
the sparrows generally made off with the pieces
This war only terminated with the disappearance
of the intruder.
But our robins troubles we're not at end. He
~as now beset by numerous sparrows, whose cour
age increased as the progress of winter diminished
their means OF subsistence. With some OF these
he mad most desperate conflicts, and this state OF
things did not cease until the coming on Of spring
enabled the former to find food elsewhere The
robin also disappeared after time, but coon e.
turned with mate and reared brood somewhere
On the premises. During the following winter the
same wars were waged as before, with similar
suits. Our friend mated again the succeeding
spring. and appeared to have gained confidence
from the manner in which he had lived among US
The nest was built this year on little shelf in an
olt-buldng at the bottom Of the ynden. Here
they reared their young, the he n, during the peri
I'D OF incubation. remaining the nest even when
some Of the family were close to it, but it was out
ct reach of the children. shall not readily forget
our friends joy when the young ones made their
appearance.
One morning on going into the garden a. usual.
my attention was attracted by his uncommon agita-
ton and proceeding. He would come about with
great earnestness of manner, and then hy toward
the neat, and repeat this until it occurred to
that he meant something. On following him he
appeared to express grea. delight, flying backward
until We arrived at the nest. The female was alb
sent, and e seemed to enjoy the pleasure Of intro
dueing me to his family. hopping about with the
greatest glse- We found afterward that the hen
did not approve of any Of NJ approaching her
young, a. she invariably gave a note of alarm
when any OF US went near them. Circumstances
arisins that caused our removal. terminated my ac
guaintance With the robin.