Passeres 



27 



a rufous patch above the white belly : the female has 

 little blue on the throat and a brown chest-band. This 

 species only breeds in the north of Europe and Asia, but 

 there is a form with a white instead of a red spot which 

 carries on the range to France and west Russia. 



Our familiar Robin or Redbreast (Erithacus rubeciila 

 melophilus) needs no description; its plumage, habits, 



Robin 



and song are equally well known. It may be mentioned, 

 however, that it is not known to breed in the Faeroes or 

 Shetlands, though it ranges from north Europe and 

 west Asia to Africa and the Atlantic islands, while the 

 continental race is clearly distinguishable and visits 

 us in winter and the African form has also been separ- 

 ated. Holes in banks, walls and trees are utilized for 

 the nest of leaves and moss lined with liaii*, while the 



