| viel tie 
of 
THE ROBIN. 267 
Paired, in many instances, for life, the Robin is another very early nest- 
builder. We find its nest in woods adjoining cultivated lands, in the shrub- 
beries, under the hedgerows and banks in our gardens, in holes of walls 
and trees, and frequently amongst ivy. The Robin is another of those 
birds which often select curious sites for their nest. It has been known to 
build in an old water-can lying neglected and half buried in withered 
leaves. 
The Robin’s nest is very bulky, and somewhat peculiar in its construction. 
In the first place, should the nest be on the ground, a small cavity is made 
as a foundation for future operations. Then with withered leaves, dry 
grass, and moss, a somewhat rude nest is made, but with a neat deep 
cup lined with hair, and sometimes a little wool, and rootlets, the latter 
material being the most extensively used. When examining the nests of this 
bird, it will be invariably noticed that the nest itself is at the extreme end of 
the nesting-cavity, and the “‘ frontage” to the nest is exceedingly extended, a 
peculiarity noticed in the nests of very few birds; for the cavity containing 
the eggs, instead of lying in the centre of the nesting-materials, is on the 
side, as may easily be observed when the nest is removed from its original 
site. 
The eggs of the Robin are from five to eight in number; but probably 
six may be taken as an average clutch. In ground-colour they are pure and 
shining white; the markings, which in some cases are very rich, are brown 
of various shades, red, and sometimes dashes and freckles of grey. In 
colour they differ considerably. Some are pure white without a trace of 
markings, others have a zone of colour round the larger end; many are so 
clouded with spots as to hide the ground-colour, while not a few are 
richly and boldly blotched with reddish brown, streaked with dark brown 
approaching black. The eggs possess a considerable amount of gloss, 
which fades to a very great extent after being kept any length of time. 
To be seen in all their delicate beauty they must be examined soon after 
they are laid and before the contents have been removed. They vary in 
length from 0°9 to 0:7 inch, and in breadth from 0°65 to 0°56 inch. 
The Robin rears two and sometimes three broods in the year, but never 
in the same nest. ‘This bird, however, will rear its young in certain locali- 
ties for years if left unmolested. An instance is recorded of a certain 
site being tenanted for five successive years; but every year the old nest 
was removed, leaving a clear site for the little builders. 
What becomes of the great numbers of Robins which, on account of the 
bird’s immunity from persecution, must of necessity be reared in this 
country? Considerable discussion has of late years taken place re- 
specting this subject; and many are the reasons advanced to account for 
the bird’s numbers still remaining about the same. Without doubt the 
Robin is, to some extent, a migratory bird, even in our own land; and 
