It is unnecessary to describe a Robin’s song, because almost everyone has an opportunity of hearing it, and seeing the bird at the same time. Its call and alarm notes, however, are frequently uttered when the creature is not visible. The former is a rapidly repeated metallic sounding _tit-tit-tit_, and the latter a plaintive, long-drawn _chee_, generally uttered when some intruder is near the nest. The species feeds principally upon insects, and is especially fond of spiders, which are sought for in the cracks of old walls, mossy banks, and on the bark of trees. All boys and girls who have read “Pilgrim’s Progress” will remember how Mercy wondered and Christiana was disappointed to learn that Robins fed upon spiders instead of breadcrumbs, and the lesson Interpreter drew from it. Robins differ individually in character almost as much as human beings. I have been vigorously attacked by a courageous mother bird of this species because I dared to look at her young ones in the nest. On the other hand, some individuals are quite timid and shy, and will quickly put a safe distance between themselves and the most harmless intruder. Occasionally one meets with a Redbreast living a bachelor or old maid existence at some secluded farmhouse high up amongst the hills or on some lonely treeless island round our coast. I have a male member of the species in my garden that always superintends my digging operations, and varies his search for upturned grubs by standing on a clod within a few inches of my spade and singing me the sweetest of little songs. May he long live to do so! [Illustration: woodland scene] [1] During the middle ages it was a generally accepted belief that Jenny Wren was Cock Robin’s mate, and curiously enough, many people still think that Wrens are female Robins. Of course such is not at all the case, as the birds belong to widely different species. =THE BLACKBIRD.= [Illustration: sprig of flowers] Who does not know and love the Blackbird with his sable coat, orange bill, and peculiar habit of erecting his tail when he alights? In the North of England the bird still enjoys its old name of Ouzel, and in Scotland it is called a Merle. The hen differs somewhat in her appearance from the cock in being of a dark, rusty-brown colour instead of “so black of hue,” as Shakespeare has it of her mate. This species is common in gardens, orchards, shrubberies, hedgerows, and woods all over the British Islands. I have even met with it breeding in a little garden close to the Atlantic in the outermost island of the Hebridean group and within sight of lone St. Kilda. [Illustration: BLACKBIRD’S NEST.]