30 JUNE 2007, Page 30

Feathered friends

Sir: I have been very interested in the recent correspondence about robins (Letters, 16 June). Many years ago, my mother was befriended by a robin which constantly followed her around the garden.

One day it landed on her hand, where it deposited a fat wriggling worm. It then flew to a nearby branch and watched her, hoping, she supposed, to see her eating the worm. Not wanting to offend the robin she sought to convey that its gift was so generous she would keep it for later, but she felt embarrassed at being incapable of showing appropriate appreciation.

Louise Hertford Alcester, Warwickshire