ERITHACUS. 261 
Genus ERITHACUS. 
The Robins were originally included in the genus Motacilla of Linnzeus, 
from which, in 1769, Scopoli separated a number of species, including 
the Robin, and placed them in his genus Sylvia. In 1801, Cuvier, in 
his ‘Lecons d’Anatomie Comparée,’ tab. i1., separated the Robins, esta- 
blishing the genus Hrithacus for their reception. Since then they have 
been unnecessarily split up into groups which it is most convenient to 
consider only of subgeneric value. Cuvier did not indicate any type; 
but there can be little doubt that he regarded the Robin as typical. 
There is no character that I have been able to discover in the Ouzels 
that is not to be found in some of the Robins; nor have I been able to 
discover any character in the Robins which does not exist in some of the 
Ouzels. The only definite character appears to be that of size, the smallest 
Ouzel being larger than the largest Robin. From the Redstarts and Chats 
and allied genera they may be distinguished by having either pale legs or 
the throat brilliant in colour, in violent contrast to the cheeks. In the 
Robins the bill is generally black on the upper mandible—a character which 
will serve to distinguish them from the smaller Ouzels, which have the 
bill yellow. From the smaller Thrushes they may be distinguished by 
having the underparts unspotted; whilst from the Flycatchers and the 
Stonechats their much longer tarsus serves to distinguish them. The 
Robins have the throat frequently ornamented with rich colours, in some 
species having a metallic gloss; and the cheeks usually differ im colour 
from the throat. 
The Robins frequent bushes, several of them showing a marked pre~« 
ference for swamps, and are principally migratory. They all possess con- 
siderable powers of song. They breed on or near the ground, building 
open nests, either amongst herbage, foliage, or in holes. They lay from 
five to seven eggs, which vary from pure white to bluish green in ground- 
colour, generally sparingly marked with pale confluent brown spots. Their 
food is chiefly insects and worms. 
There are sixteen species in the present genus, confined to the Palearctic 
region, the northern portion of India, Mongolia, China, and Japan. Half 
the species occur in Europe; and three are British, of which one is a 
resident, one a summer migrant, and the other an accidental visitor. 
