The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-10-11
ABOUT ROBIN RED.
BREAST
ny G. l.. CHAMBERLIN.

From time out of date birds nave mad
n peculiar attraction for man and have
entered into his religion. superstition
and Preside tales None Ia more promi-
nent In ancient tales and legends ana
none 90 we'll known to every one in city
OF country as the common robin. 1t has
always been regarded as a bird of good
omen and its bright, joyous cheer up.
cheer up, CHEEKY. cheer up is one OF
the nrst signs OF spring
The sight OF the common mud and
grass nest with lts lining of horsehatr
and other soft bits. strings, rawlings
and leaves. Is familiar to almost every
one. II builds In the low, heavy lin,bed
trees OF the garden or orchard ana
feeds its young on worms. certain IN
sects. and IL must be admitted. fruit
and berries of nearly every available
kind. a thleving trait which calls down
the wrath Of many q farmer and gard
ener But the Investigations of the
unprejudiced scientist have shown that
there are two sides to this story and
that cheerful robin red-breast pays for
the fruit he eats by destroying many
in furious worms and insects.
The red breast so noticeable In the
male has been made the subject Of
various superstitious stories. One old
legend says that this bright red 10
due to the fact that when our LORD
hung upon the cross the robin attended
Him and supplied some simple wants,
ana while doing this. some OF the blood
from His precious side was sprinkied
upon the bird. Since then the robins
breast has always been red. For this
reason In former times the robin was
regarded with q sort OF awe and re-
yerance which caused It to remain I'M
nolested by wicked boys who did not
hesitate to rob the nests OF other less
sacred birds.
Even In this enlightened. age the
robin 10 regarded ~ the poksessor OF
unusual powers and gifts. When red
breast 10 seen prsening his feathers and
calling forth the notes Of his we'll
known song many people believe X
the sign OF rain coming within the
next twenty-four hours. While the
robin cannot be regarded as never
failing weather prophet II 10 undoubf-
eddy true that the change In the at
mosphere caused by coming storms may
AFFECT Il in manner similar to snat
which causes chickens and other DO
mestic fowls to preen and oil their
feathers before rain.
A late departure South In the fall
70 said to show 4 short winter Just as
ita early flight 10 thought to indicate
= long winter In spring an early re-
turn North 10 said TO mean the end
OF winter and . late return implies
= late spring.
Probably no other bird has been made
the subject Of more nursery songs and
stories than robin red breast Tho
.'TaIs Of Cock Robin" has come down.
In substance. through many centuries.
Hidden back In unnumbered years 10
the origin Of the old nursery song.
Come robin. 20 merry. with breast like
cherry,
For now 'tls the hlosscming spring."
Another old child lullaby. relating to
the robin. has been In the writer's
family for many generations:
"A robin once ned from the wood
TO the snug hAbitation OF man.
On the threshoid tho wanderer stood
And thus his petition began"
The request for food and shelter
which follows lsft = tender feeling for
red -breast which the years have never
effaced.
Most birds make tho world = moro
beautiful and comfortable place In
which to live. such birds should never
be killed for sport. for food or for
oducation.-Our Dumb Animals.