r34 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



sea-shore, amongst ruins, near houses and in farmyards 

 — every description of haunt is aUke frequented by the 

 ubiquitous Robin. It is neither gregarious nor social, 

 and jealously guards its haunt from all invasion. The 

 Robin may pair for life, if returning season after season 

 to one spot to nest is any indication, but after the 

 breeding season is over the bird is remarkably solitary 

 in its habits. The nest is placed in a well-sheltered 

 situation, such as in a hole in a wall, amongst the roots 

 of trees, far under an over-hanging bank, and in ivy 

 either on the ground or growing over walls. Curious sites 

 are by no means uncommon, such as the interior of a 

 flower-pot, or a water-can, or in a shed, etc., etc. The 

 nest is a large structure, made externally of moss, dry 

 grass, quantities of dead leaves (oak by preference), and 

 coarse roots, most of the material being in the front, the 

 cup being as far back as possible, and neatly lined with 

 finer roots, horsehair, and very rarely a i^w feathers. 

 The Robin is a close sitter, and when disturbed will 

 often perch close by and keep up a low piping note, 

 uttered at intervals of a few seconds. It is much attached 

 to a site, and will continue to occupy it notwithstanding 

 much disturbance. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Robin are from five to eight in number 

 (I have taken clutches of the latter amount), but usually 

 six are found. They are white in ground colour, spotted 

 and freckled with brownish-red, and with underlying 

 markings of gray. Very often most of the markings 

 form a zone, or less frequently a circular patch at the 

 larger end of the &^'g ; another common variety is so 

 thickly mottled as to hide most of the ground colour. 

 Rarer varieties are spotted with darker brown, and 

 streaked with nearly black ; or pure and spotless white. 

 Average measurement, ■% inch in length, by "6 inch in 



