16
Dumpy comes down 5 times, staying 3 to eat.'
There the tale could comfortably end, but it was only
worth beginning on account of other facts that remain
more vividly impressed upon us.
Our original Robin was rather dumpy and dischevelled,
with a short tail and an albino flash in one wing.
We suspected imminent moulting, and indeed 'Dumpy's'
appearance did improve, and the flash, useful for
identification, was no longer discernible. As
early as 22nd July I disturbed a Robin feeding at the
clog, and as it flew away I felt sure it was sleeker
and even larger than usual, with a longer tail.
Next morning 'Sleeky' was there again, cautious, cool
and detached, with none of the warm confidence exuded
by Dumpy. After feeding, he flew down on to the
grass where Dumpy awaited, and a mild chase and scuffle
ensued. We had no evidence of sexual distinction,
but found ourselves referring to Dumpy as 'she' and
Sleeky as 'he'. The two Robins were undoubtedly
associated and communicated by a complex series of
'tick' and 'tit', ranging from singles to varied
fusillades. They always fed separately, and we felt
that Sleeky probably enjoyed precedence over his
partner. There were no calls during feeding, but one
morning the exception occurred. The diary entry reads
'9th August - Before 8 Dumpy to breakfast, then instead
of flight, utters one tick - (pause) - wistful 'see',
then outside to brisk 'titters' with Sleeky, who then
flies in'. On the same day at teatime a related but
more elaborate ritual was enacted -'Dumpy feeds then
hops up on to a green glass sea-fishing float in cord
net standing on sill beding closed window, utters
several single 'tick' calls, pauses, then several
slow, measured, uprising 'see' calls. Sleeky flies
in for long feed, and Dumpy descends to table, and
thence to floor, to hop around leisurely fashion,
to leave by open door, as Sleeky leaves via window.'
Thus we had ritual variations presented to us for close