Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-07-27
mr. Beeeher and the II obin..

Amidst all his numerous cares and tribulaaoas
the Rev. Eenry Ward Beecher finds leisure to
write about the birds, and in very pleasant
way. In su article In the New York Ledger,
which he entities "Robin Hood The gives the fol-
lowing little picture, apparently drawn from his
summer residence, near Peekskill, on the H1d-
son.
THE fact is, this week has been the great
week Of the Robins They have brought their
children oflt, and presented them to the public
There are young robins everywhere, IN bushes
on lower limbs Of trees peeping over the rim OF
the nest, not quite ready in the grass, hopping
and flying along the paths. We remember our
great JOY, early in oar summer solourn on this
hill, upon the discovery Of 8 robins nest Ihe
hill was almost bare of trees and shrubbery, and
much wind blown. Birds love shelter, food and
safety. BY clothing the sides and top of the
hill birds began to resort TO it, until now, nat
ter myself that have rs fine an ornitbologlcal
collection as can anywhere be found in West
Chester county. No gun is allowed to molest
them Hawks and owls and crows, if found. are
summsrily dealt wish.
"Only the otner day crow seized young bird
from his nest, and wac seen flying high in the
air, ON his way home for feast AL about him
nimble small birds were dashing at him, and
with no small effect, for he swung to the right,
to the left, rose high plunged low, but could not
shake them of. As far as could see the fight
the plucky little birds were striking him. and he
was holding on to his prey. OF course we took
sides with the parents. Parental piety is admir-
able. Yet, truth told, we did not, upon retiec-
ton, much blame the crow. Why may put my
hand to the doye-cote and bring forth 8 juicy
squsb, and acrow not take plump young robin
As between the crow and the robin, Il took sides
with the robin as between the crow and my
had the advantage.
"By the way, have lost control of my house.
am hen-pecked man, or, rather, robin-pecked-
| In a Norway spruce close to the house, on the
| west pair OF robins have a nest II is theil
| first one. / know it by the amazing sensibility
| they have shown. No sooner were the birds
| found tickling under them than the world was
| transformed. There was nothing on the globe
that was not created for them. That nest be.
came the navel Of the universe. Morning and
| night were opened and shut purely for them
No one could go near the tree for fear Of wax
ing the babyr' Nay, no one was allowed OIL
that side Of the house. The children, the chick
ems the dogs brought out such trade that the,
beat a hasty retreat We were driven from
everywhere II we went on to the croque
ground, or even sat on the veranda, the jealous
creatures few about scolding and insisung ths
we should go in Indeed it seemed likely tha
we should not be allowed to look out of the win
dows. Such robin storm have never seen
Something Ike il in young wife and the ''hrs
darling baby" l have seen. And this is th'
way that found out that they we're last year.
robins and that this was their first brood. Mex
year they will be more sedate and laugh at othe
young couples which will act just as absurdly a
they are now doing"