REDBREAST. 231 



its mate ; whicli seems to prove that this bird pairs for life. 

 When any one approached the cage, the male bird departed 

 very unwillingly ; and if wholly excluded from the room in 

 which the prisoner was confined, it Avould utter the most un- 

 ceasing and piteous wailings. After some time, however, 

 the visits became gradually less frequent, and at length ceased 

 altogether." 



With many redeeming qualities, the Robin is, however, 

 one of the most pugnacious among birds, and maintains his 

 right to a certain limited domain against all intruders. 



The Robin breeds early in spring : its nest is formed of 

 moss, dead leaves, and dried grass, lined with hair, and some- 

 times a few feathers : the nest is frequently placed on a bank 

 sheltered by brushAvood, or a short distance above the ground 

 in a thick bush or lane-hedge, sometimes in a hole of a 

 wall partly covered with ivy. The eggs are from five to 

 seven in number, white, spotted with pale reddish brown ; 

 the length nine lines and a half, by seven lines and a half in 

 breadth. 



Generally diflPused over England, Ireland, and Wales, the 

 Redbreast is also an inhabitant of the most northern counties 

 of Scotland ; but, according to Mr. Dunn, it is more rare in 

 the Shetland Islands than it is in Orkney. It also visits 

 Denmark and Sweden in the breeding season ; and so well 

 does it bear cold weather, that among the summer visiters to 

 the latter country, M. Nilsson observes that the Robin is 

 one of the first to come, and one of the last to go. Mr. 

 Hewitson also saw it in Norway. 



It is a constant resident throughout the year in the tem- 

 perate and warmer parts of Europe, abundant in Spain and 

 Italy, from the last of which it passes over to North Africa. 

 The Robin was observed by Mr. Strickland at Smyrna in 

 winter ; and the Zoological Society have received specimens 

 sent by Keith Abbott, Esq. from Trebizond. 



