Evening star., 1946-11-12
This and That
'tes E. ITucEtDeH.
CHEVY CHASE Nd

Sh1N SahoE, M0.
That tirst cool November day heard
familiar sound. and going outdoors
saw--and hsard-seyen robins f1yinc
overhead toward the southwest.
they passed out OF sight and sound,
but not soon enough to prevent me from
recognizing them. and especially their
warbling song.
Il have always been particularly fond
OF robins, and miss them when they
leave W for the winter, SO was much
pleased TO have these back again II for
no longer than few seconds.
Isn't this late to be seeing robins
Yours truly. Y. d. c.
A warm October kept worms and
insects on hand for the faithful robins.
Usually most Of them are gene by
November !, but this year saw many
late flyers going through.
Probably hve or six robins will remain
In the District Of Columbia during the
winter.
Most Of these win find refuge in Rock
Greek Park, where they will be spotted
by ardent walkers.
With shelter, q robin can manage to
60 through our coolest winters. Old
sheds offer much help. In the country,
robins seek shelter in barns, and learn
to cat such insects as come to the four
legged inmates.
Most OF US will not see robins again
until next February.
just before that, millions Of them
flock together in the South, occupying
thousands OF square feet.
These robin congregations last for
three or four days and nights, after
which the birds break up into smaller
nocks. Of from 50 to 100 birds each.
These small flocks stay together until
they hit the Northern States
Then the birds spread out, in typical
robin fashion as we know them. Here
they are not birds given to gathering
together, but live by pairs.
The spring entrance flights Of about
100 birds are not seen by many persons.
The watcher Is fortunate who happens
to see flock Of robins come down out
Of the sky and spread across lawn.
Usually this occurs In the suburbs.
Owners Of wide deep lawns are more
likely to see 1t.
The descent and spreading out fur
nish real treat to the real bird lover.
In the first place, he usually Is surprised
to see 30 many robins together. In the
second, the birds are welcome, after the
winter. And In the third place, the
birds In themselves make fine picture,
because In most cases they spread out
from each other to an equal distance,
about 10 feet, and stand SO all over the
lawn, In almost soldierly deployment.
Our correspondent who heard the
late flight Of these birds is to be
congratulated.
After all, not all persons recognize
the robin songs
This is all the more strange, since the
bird is q universal favorite.. but 1t
happens that Its warbling type OF song
blends 30 well with the songs Of other
birds. In fact with the very outdoors
itself, that too many persons fail to
catch it.
Yet the robin melody is sustained, and
fine Of It's kind. A special effort should
be made to catch and understand the
songs Of our robin. He mostly uses two
kinds, Z towing melody, which Is given
. more ardent Interpretation when the
bird feels the approach Of rain. This
rain song" Is the very essence Of robin
music, and while it Is not always .
trustworthy prediction, 1t isa without
fall fine music, which, when made ones
own, does much to make summer time
of joy. No one can be truly happy who
does not make some effort to join in the
Joy Of the natural creatures around him..