In the daytime he returns to help
Mother Robin care for family number two.
At last all the young are old enough to care for themselves. Then they
gather in large flocks and go for a holiday in the wild cherry trees.
When the cherries are gone, they visit the sassafras and pepperidge
trees, and the woodbine tangles. Then comes a course of dogwood, with a
dessert of nanny-berries.
Cedar berries are added by way of a bit of cracker and cheese. Then the
robin's great feast is over, and he leaves us for the repast which is
awaiting him in the South.
The robin is very useful to the farmer. He eats ants, bugs,
caterpillars, army worms, and many other worms and insects which would
harm the grass and fruit trees.
In return, what does he ask? Only to dine on a few ripe cherries and
strawberries.
ROBIN REJOICE.
Among the first of the spring,
The notes of the Robin ring;
With flute-like voice,
He calls, "Rejoice,
For I am coming to sing!"
To any one gloomy or sad,
He says, "Be glad! be glad!
Look on the bright side,
'Tis aye the right side;
The world is good, not bad."
At daybreak in June we hear
His melody, strong and clear:
"Cheer up, be merry,
I've found a cherry;
'Tis a glorious time of the year!"
GARRETT NEWKIRK.
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