ROBIN. 



107 



but always hidden as much as possible, "While the hen bird sits on her eggs, 

 the male, perched close by, makes the woods resound with his cheerful song, 

 and vigilantly looks out that no intruder shall approach his nest. As soon as 

 the young are hatched and able to provide for themselves, he leaves the woods, 

 and approaches again the abode of man; and when the frost becomes severe 

 and the snow covers the ground, he draws near to the house. 



% 



Fig. 55.— The Redbreast {Etythaca rnlccula). 



" Half afraid, he first 

 Against the window beats, then brisk alights 

 On the warm hearth ; then hopping on the floor, 

 Eyes all the smilmg family askance, 

 And pecks, and starts, and M'onders where he is, 

 Till more familiar grown, the table crumbs 

 Attract his slender feet." — Thomson. 



The Chats iSaxicola) are migratory, and are met with in most parts of 

 the globe. Owing to their shy and wild habits, they prefer the moors, downs, 

 and dry sandy banks of the sea-coast, or places almost bare of vegetation, 

 where they frequent isolated bushes, low trees, and hedges. They are gene- 

 rally seen solitary or in pairs upon some perch, from which they keep watch, 

 and when they espy an insect or worm upon the ground, they dart upon it, and 

 having secured it, return to their former position. Their flight is smooth and 

 quick, but always near the surface of the ground. Their song is sweet and 

 pleasing, and is often uttered while on the wing or when hovering over the 

 nest, while the female is sitting upon her eggs. The nests of these birds are 

 generally placed under some large stone or in the crevices of old walls, and 

 even in holes on the sea-coast, such as the burrow of a rabbit. The nest itself 

 is composed of grass and moss mixed with wool, and lined with wool or hair. 

 The eggs are five or six in number. 



