228 SYLVIAD.E. 



mandible deflected and notched. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, pierced in a 

 membrane, partly hid by feathers and hairs projecting from the base of the 

 beak. Wings rounded ; the three exterior quills graduated ; the first only half 

 as lono- as the second, which is shorter than the third ; the fourth, fifth, and 

 sixth longer than the third ; the fifth the longest in the wing. Legs — the tarsus 

 longer than the middle toe ; the lateral toes nearly equal to each other in 

 length ; the outer toe united at its base to the middle toe ; the claw of the hind 

 toe longer and stronger than the otliers. 



The Redbreast is so generally distributed over the 

 British Islands, and so universal a favourite, mixed up as it is 

 with our earliest associations, that all are sufficiently inter- 

 ested in the bird to make themselves acquainted with its 

 habits. These may be observed either in the wood, the 

 field, or the garden, since there is scarcely a hedge without 

 its Rcdbreasted inhabitant : and if Robins appear to be more 

 numerous in winter than in summer, it is partly owing to the 

 state of vegetation at the former season, which leaves them 

 more exposed to observation, and partly because they resort 

 to the habitations of man for food as they find it decline 

 elsewhere. During summer they feed indiscriminately on 

 earthworms, various insects in their different states, fruit, and 

 berries. In winter every country-house has its attendant 

 pensioner, who requires but little invitation to become an in- 

 door guest. Thomson has most truly described the half- 

 confident, half-doubtful manner of the Robin when he ven- 

 tures to enter the cottage to pick up the proffered crumbs : 



" then, hopping o'er the floor, 

 Eyes all the smiling family askance, 

 And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is." 



The sprightly air of this species, the full dark eye and the 

 sidelong turn of the head, give an appearance of sagacity 

 and inquiry to their character, which, aided by their con- 

 fidence, has gained them friends ; and the Robin has accord- 

 ingly acquired some familiar domestic name in almost every 

 country of Europe. 



