REDBREAST. 21 5 



differentiated ; two of these occur in Britain. The Continental 

 or typical bird migrates from its northern haunts, wintering so 

 far south as the Sahara, and many pass along our shores, 

 especially down the east coast. The British Redbreast, E. r. 

 melophilus Hartert, is resident in all parts of our Islands, a 

 few northern islands excepted, and is also a summer visitor, 

 since numbers leave us in autumn. The Continental bird is 

 paler, has a yellower breast and less brown on the flanks. 



The Redbreast or Robin (Plate 89) has psychological traits 

 which are entirely its own ; it has, at most seasons, absolute 

 trust in man. It is the bird of the homestead, ever ready to 

 attend the garden worker, perch upon the handle of his spade 

 the moment he leaves it, or pick a worm from beneath his feet 

 and swallow it with a low warble of satisfaction. In winter it 

 will readily respond to encouragement and enter the house for 

 food. Abundant though it is amongst houses, it is also plenti- 

 ful in thick wood and coppice, in lane and hedgerow. Even 

 in the quiet wood the clicking call of the inquisitive bird 

 announces its arrival, and usually this is followed by a snatch 

 of song. Mr. Kirkman describes his investigation of the spheres 

 of influence of Robins within. a restricted area, a farm and 

 its immediate surroundings, affirming that each bird retains 

 territory after the breeding season, driving away any intruder 

 from a neighbouring area. This may be true to some extent,, 

 but is hardly universal. When trapping and ringing birds in 

 January I caught and ringed six Robins within a few days, and 

 later both ringed and unringed birds visited the garden. 

 Presumably a number of birds went a round in search of food, 

 especially gratuities. The actions of the Redbreast are spas- 

 modic but engaging ; it hops, bobs its head and body, flicks its 

 wings, and appears anxious to call our attention. 



The song has great variety, and is a fine performance ; it 

 may be heard in summer and winter ; presumably all Robins 

 do not moult at the same time, so that even in July and August 



