40 THE BIRDS OF KENT 



Genus ERITHACUS, Cuvier. 

 KEDBEEAST. 



Eritliacus ruhecula (Linnaeus). 8.N., i., p. 337 



(1766). 



Kobin. 



Our delightful and garden-loving little Eobin, or Eed- 

 breast, is the pet of all our resident birds ; there is scarcely 

 an adult, or a child, who does not recognise and admire 

 our small favourite, in summer or winter, more especially 

 in the latter, when his breast appears redder than ever, 

 and he becomes so sociable and tame that he will enter 

 our rooms for warmth and food and enjoy the shelter of 

 the home. 



The Eobin is not only attached to the gardens and 

 houses, but you may find him spread all over the country, 

 along the hedgerows of lanes, where there are ditches ; 

 in the woods and fields. In any of these places during" 

 the non-breeding season he may be seen sitting on a 

 branch of a tree, or a post, pouring forth his delightful 

 song, which may be heard from autumn till early summer. 



Although the Eobin is plentiful throughout the county, 

 for we have found him in ever}' district traversed, yet 

 each male holds a particular area to himself and wife, 

 and we have noted him at his regular station from 

 autumn until autumn, and there is no doubt he breeds in 

 that particular area, and the young have to find " fields 

 and pastures new," nor will a Eobin allow another male 

 on his estate. 



It was not until January 24 that the Eobins began to 

 collect in pairs, although the number of males had never 



