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Z\)c IRobin. 



B}' S. A, vSandy. 



EXT to the House Sparrow, there is pro- 

 bably no bird better known and appre- 

 ciated than our little red-breasted friend 

 the Robin. Go where you may, in town 

 or country, you will find him, during the 

 autumn and winter months, appearing just as much 

 at home in the small suburban garden (or in many 

 cases apology for such) as in the more spacious 

 grounds of the farm or country house. The plumage 

 of this little bird is quite equal in beauty to that of 

 many of our summer migrants which are far more 

 prized by fanciers, and if it were not for the fact 

 that our little friend is numerically strong in almost 

 every district, and can be had for the mere catching 

 or a few pence at most, he would be far more valued 

 as an exhibition bird. 



The adult male has the crown of the head, back, 

 wings and tail olive brown ; forehead, throat, and 

 breast bright reddish orange, bordered with bluish 

 grey, with the underparts white. Legs and feet 

 brown, and bill very dark brown, in fact it might be 

 said to be black. The length is about 5f inches. The 

 general plumage of the hen is similar to the cock's, but 

 the coloring is more dingy, and she is usually smaller 

 and less attractive in her general appearance. 



As regards food, during the summer months the 

 Robin feeds in the same manner as the other species 

 of small insectivorous birds, viz., upon flies, cater- 

 pillars, moths, ants, etc., but also shows a great 



