8 Habits of the Robin Redbreast. 



experience, that this species consumes but a very small portion 

 of that fruit; but, were the quantity ten times what it is, this 

 familiar guest should be welcome to it all ; ay, all. The 

 black-capped fauvet (i^icedula atricapilla Aldr.) and the 

 garden fauvet (F. hortensis Blyth) are great consumers of 

 fruit; as well as the hedge coalhood * (Pyrrhula modularis W.), 

 the garden tit (Parus major Lin.)) &c. ; but I never suffer a 

 single individual of these pretty flutterers to be destroyed. 

 They are always welcome guests. The coalhood, it is true, 

 destroys many buds which might, in due season, have yielded 

 fruit; and thegarden tit eats many peas: but what then ? Is the 

 palate the only sense to be gratified ? are we to sacrifice the de- 

 lightful employment (luxury I may call it) of watching the habits 

 of the feathered race ; of investigating their uses and affinities, 

 an exercise no less beneficial to the body than the mind, to 

 say nothing of their charming songs ? shall we sacrifice these, 

 merely to obtain additional gratification for the palate ? The 

 organ of alimentiveness is, I take it, very well in its way ; but ? 

 to gratify it at the expense of the intellectual organs, is not 

 acting quite in accordance with what might be expected from 

 a rational being. The inferior animals (as man loves to call 

 them) were given for our use, and to administer to our plea- 

 sures ; and, when they interfere with any project, or in any way 

 annoy us, we have a right to rid ourselves of them ; but to de- 

 stroy them when they are capable of affording us intense plea- 

 sure, in order that we may obtain an inferior pleasure, is not 

 very reasonable. 



But we have almost lost sight of our spruce little friend. 

 With regard to its nidification many mistakes have been made. 

 Turner, an old ornithologist, says it builds with leaves; and 

 Willughby copies this assertion. The nest is composed 

 chiefly of moss, with a lining of horse-hair. It generally 

 builds at the roots of an old tree, in a low bush, and very 

 frequently in the holes of walls. Rennie, in his Architecture 

 of Birds, doubts this ; but I am certain of the fact. In the 

 thirteenth number of the Analyst is a very spirited and well- 

 written article, " A Retrospect of the Literature of British 



* It has been suggested that coalhood is not very appropriate as a generic 

 name, as it is probable that other species may be discovered which may 

 have no black on the head. But does not the same objection apply with 

 equal force to redbreast, waxwing, warbler, &c. Another objection has 

 been raised, namely, that the name coalhood will apply equally well to other 

 genera: but does not this apply equally to wagtail (Motacilla), longspur 

 (Plectropkaties), reedling (Salicaria), flycatcher (Mtiscicapa), diver (Colym- 

 bus), &c. In short, 1 do not know a single meaning name in ornithology, 

 with the exception of crossbill (Cracirostra), which will not designate other 

 genera equally well with that to which it is appropriated. 



