Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-09

The robin is one OF the most fami-
liar birds Of the whole United States
These birds are usually abundant
Wherever found. For this reason the
matter of their food supply deserves
careful consideration, for wherever
natures lavish provision fails these
birds must seek their subsistence
either from cultivated crops or from
the Wild varieties especially left or
provided for them by their human
friends.
The robin is found throughout the
greater portion Of the United States,
The range of the species extending
into Canada and even Alaska.
While for the most part migratory
IN inc Northern half OF the country
individuals remain all winter In many
localities where shelter and food are
assured. In Eastern assaohusetts
ana at some places farther west. there
are cedar swnmps which offer an
abundant supply of wild fruit. and
robins remain throughout the winter
IN large numbers. Most of the species
however. spend the winter from lar :
ituoe 4" degrees southwark. and be-
gin TO move northward as soon as
snow lsappears. They arrive in New
England in the latter mart of March
or early In April, and in the Northern
states of the Mississippi Valley some
what earlier. 1t is difficult 10 saw Inc,
wheh fall migration begins as the f3rst
hlrdS TO leave arc replaced bv otbor.
from farther north
IN Its breeding habits the robin ;s
very domestic. having learned to place
n good deal of confidence in its ~
man eiGhbors. 1t commonly sc1ec,s
orchards is nesting places, or fear
lessiN builds upon projecting shelf
or n piazza or under an omen shed
Where persons pass many times during
the Day. stone walls and fences arc
often utilized. and in one case known
to the writer the nest was placed a.
rcctly upon tho ground. The birds
confidence is rarely abused. and il 10
allowed to rear its brood undisturhed
wherever the nest may be. F1ou,
young arc commonly raised in n brood
and two or more broods are reared In
season. In the northern part OF tho
country. especially in New England,
the robin Is thought so we'll of that
one is rarely killed or disturbed.
Owing TO the complete protection the
species enjoys. II sometimes become
oNcr-a hundant for the best interests
or horticulture. and its dcpreda ton
upon small fruits are so extensive as to
try the patience OF It's friends the fruit
growers. In spite of this the law still
extends its protecting arm over tho
bird in most parts of the country, and
fruit growers have to guard their crops
as hfSt tncy can. Many who grow
fruit for home consumption declare
that tho robins take more than half
the crop, and some have testified that
they often take the whole crop.
For q number of years the writer was
engaged in tho cultivation Of small
fruits in Massachusetts. and although
robins were abundant about the farm
they did no appreciablo damage. On
the farm where the writer lived when
boy was fine collection OF the
choicest varieties OF cherries. The first
fruit 10 ripen each year was shared
about equally by tho birds and the
family, hut that which matured after
wards did not attract tho birds. prob
ably because in that section the woods
and swamps abound with many species
OF wild fruits.
Reports OF dcprcdations upon fruit by
birds come principally from tho prairie
regions Of tho West. This Is Just what
might be expected. for but few prairie
shrubs produce the wild berries that
tho birds prefer and for lack CT these
the birds naturally feed upon the Gull
tivated varieties available. Reports CT
fruit losses caused by birds In tho East
arc usually from the immediate vicin-
! ity OF villages and towns where there
is no natural fruit bearing shrubbcry