11 JUNE 1942, Page 14

COUNTRY LIFE

AMONG the delights of a garden are enacted from time to time little tragedies that affect us more than the victims. This was one. Two jays had taken up their abode in the bushes, and nearby a robin had built its nest. The jays frequently perched near, but took no offensive action till the eggs were hatched. They then at once devoured the whole brood. It was a catastrophe ; but instantly, with no apparent distress, the two robins began to build again, and for some unknown reason the jays completely disappeared. We may expect that the second family of robins will duly reach maturity. They will certainly be well-fed, for it is a season abounding beyond the normal in every sort of insect.