REDBIRD— REDBREAST 771 



of that country, Tringa americana (p. 172) ; but at best only applic- 

 able to it in summer-plumage. 



REDBIRD, a name of Cardinalis virginianus (Cardinal), and 

 M'ith the prefix "Summer" of a species of Tanager, Pyranga sestiva, 

 since it occurs at that season only within the United States of 

 America. 



REDBREAST, the name of a bird which from its manners, no 

 less familiar than engaging, has for a long while been so great a 

 favourite among all classes in Great Britain as to have gained an 

 almost sacred character. The pleasing colour of its plumage — one 

 striking feature of which is expressed by its ancient name — its 

 sjDrightly air, full dark eye, enquiring and sagacious demeanour, 

 added to the trust in man it often exhibits, but, above all, the 

 cheerful sweetness of its song, even " when winter chills the day " 

 and scarce another bird is heard — combine to produce the effects 

 just mentioned, so that among many European nations it has 

 earned some endearing name, though there is no countrj'' in Avhich 

 " Robin Redbreast " is held so highly in regard as England.^ Well 

 known as is its appearance and voice throughout the whole year in 

 the British Islands, there are not many birds which to the 

 attentive observer betray more unmistakably the influence of the 

 migratory impulse ; but somewhat close scrutiny is needed to 

 reveal this fact. In the months of July and August the hedgerows 

 of the southern counties of England may be seen to be beset with 

 Redbreasts, not in flocks as is the case with so many other species, 

 but each individual keeping its own distance from the next ^ — all, 

 however, pressing forward on their way to cross the Channel. On 

 the European continent the migration is still more marked, and the 

 Redbreast on its autumnal and vernal passages is the object of 

 hosts of bird-catchers, since its value as a delicacy for the table has 

 long been recognized.^ But even those Redbreasts which stay in 

 Britain during the winter are subject to a migratory movement 

 easily perceived by any one that will look out for it. Occupying 

 dm^ing autumn their usual haunts in outlying woods or hedges, the 



^ English colonists in distant lands have gladly applied the .common nick- 

 name of the Redbreast to other birds that are not immediately allied to it. 

 The ordinary "Robin" of North America is a Thrush, Turdus migratorius 

 (Fieldfare, p. 250), and the Bluebirds of the same continent belonging to 

 the genus Sialia in ordinary speech are Blue "Robins"; while the same 

 familiar name is given in the various communities of Australasia to several 

 species of Petrxca, and its allies, though some have no red breast. 



^ It is a very old saying that Unum arbustum non alit duos Erithacos — one 

 bush does not harbour two Redbreasts. " 



^ Of late years an additional impulse has been given to the capture of this 

 species by the absurd fashion of using its skin for the trimming of ladies' 

 dresses and "Christmas cards." 



