The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-09-15
THE ROBIN.
Pores, and S,rear,

Forest and Stream
 See hIm throw out his chest ano ,s
 back. Oh, he IS proud fellow. indeeI,
 quite in contrast with his more rode.
 mate; but, after all, his is a pardonab1s pride. Possessed of such a weil.lr,.
 figure. hne head and erect carriage who
 can blame him if he exhibits a ,rif,r,
 conceit: His IS familiar figure or OUT
 lawns, now hopping quickly alon. ana
 now running swiftly, pausing after each
 dash, and peering up to look arounc.
 See him as he makes another swift run ot
 few feet, then bends eagerly forward
 appearing to listen intently. Suddenly
 he darts his bill down, and, with the a,i
 of the glasses, we see him drag a long
 earth-worm from out the grass roots.
 have never been able to determine with
 any satisfaction to myself whether it Is his sense of hearing or sight which guides
 him to his food his attitude Of intense attention for moment before dartinp on
 his prey, would seem to indicate that the former was the case, but again he may be only watching intently, as it is possible that the squirming of the worm. as he pushes his way to the surface, may cause tremor among the blades of grass no, visible to our coarser vision, but easily Perceptible to our little lynx-eyed friend A, all events there is a moments pause each time before the final lunge. which almost invariably results in a Capture. 1.-the tender morsel happens to be ar extra large one, II is amusing to watch him "freshen his grip as il were. and back off until stretched to its utmost. ou, comes the worm, and its wriggling length appears for an instant only, as red-breas, uneeremoniously gulps him down.
 Our frend IS fond of living near us. and builds almost anywhere, in maple. elm, spruce, on the lawn, in the orchard. or, Tn fact, in the most convenient, spot he may chance upon. The location, however, once selected for his nest, he will occupy year after year. High or low seems to make little difference. As 10 materials for his nest, he is not owe, particular. Though formed chiefly of wlsps of hay and dry grasses. its makeup Will often contain bits of paper, string, hair, and always quantity of mud. seenl- ingiy intended 10 give 1t stability. The
 interior IS carefully lined with soft warm hbres of bark. hair and grass. and grea, attention is paid to this part of the work, Ills temper. am sorry 10 say, is no, al together. as lovely as his appearance. N hen family lar occurs among the featheIed inhabitants Tn his vicinity. al- though they may not be of his own kind you will see him streak of for the scene of the rumpus, 10 mingle his angry notes Tn the general roar. He is kind hus- band. though and ever on the aler, to protect his family. His shrill cry of dis tress will summon all his companions within hearing. and their united efforts will often diseoneeu and drive away away feline intruders. to say nothing of crows, blackbirds and othe. egg-suckinr. nest-des,roying vermin. Should he have the good fortune to discover an owl he is supremely happy, and will join with the sparrews Tn raising such din about the poor things ears as to put it ignomini- ously to flight. A good sonys,er. he is al his best during the breeding season. and II IS surprise to many. who are familiar with his ordinary monotonous cry of bob. bob. bob.' 10 hear hir. launch into such an ecstasy of song. often insisting that he cannot be the performer. He IS capable of great deal in the line at this season, however A, the bath he Is inclined to domineer over others who may be in possession on his ar1val, and have noticed with interest that the English sparrow moves of al once on his appearing, or IS forced 10 leave, often in spite of noisy expostulation. He will wash in company. provided he IS not crowded: but if this happens. he al once clears the board
 In the autumn his whole nature changes eongregating in large hoeks. he becomes exceedingly shy and difficult, of approach, and at this season IS iavortte object ofpursuit with the swarms of pot hunters who infest our neighbor-. hood. A great deal has been said in re- gard to his destruction of fruit. True, he will eat the cherries, and by-the-by. he IS connoisseur as regards the cherry, and We boys always used to select those that bore his mark as being the mos, luscious. He affects the strawberry also 10 some extent. and occasionally varies his menu with fine grape or two. but the damage he does is light compared to that inflicted by others. the imported nuisance, for instance. It may be that he causes wholesale destruction in some sections. as is written of him, but can no, believe all of it. and l am rather in- rlined to think that if pains were taken 10 carefully observe, the greater part of the sins of which the pretty fellow is ac- cused would be brough, home to some other man."