BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 319 



period it is widely distributed over Great Britain except in 

 the extreme south-west of England and the more northern 

 part of Scotland, but the species tends to be rather local. 

 It also nests in a few Irish localities. 



THE REDBREAST, OR ROBIN 



(Erithacus rubecula). 

 Plate 120. 



The Robin-Redbreast is perhaps the best known of all 

 our birds, for no one can mistake him, and his bright, 

 merry looks and fearless and confiding ways make him a 

 general favourite. And yet it is astonishing how often 

 one is informed that his mate lacks the bright-red breast ! 

 In reality she is slightly duller in plumage, but no more. 

 But when one says so, the sober-hued Hedgesparrow will 

 as likely as not be triumphantly pointed out as a hen 

 Robin. 



The Redbreast is found throughout the year in all but 

 the most barren parts of the British Isles. It does not 

 yet nest in the Shetland group, and only recently has it 

 done so in some of the other Scottish isles and even in 

 some mainland localities, its spread being probably con- 

 nected with the increase of plantations. 



Any long description of the general and nesting habits 

 of the Robin would be superfluous. The nest is placed 

 in a hole in a bank, wall, or hollow tree, or in some 

 similarly sheltered situation. ' Curious sites ' may, of 

 course, be found without number. Moss and dead leaves 

 outside, hair and feathers inside, are the usual materials, 

 but unexpected articles are sometimes made use of. The 

 five to seven eggs are white, usually blotched with pale 



