i8 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS, 



nest was not Intended to hold a stranger, forthwith 

 summarily ejected it. Instances in which the Hedge 

 Sparrow has turned out the young Cuckoo, after being 

 hatched, have been often recorded, but I had never 

 previously heard of its throwing out the ^g^. I once 

 discovered a nest in an old basket, and have been 

 told that a pair built a short time ago in the roof 

 of an out-house. Occasionally a haystack is chosen 

 as a site. 



Redbreast {Erythaca rubecula). The pretty little 

 Robin sings all the year, and is universally beloved 

 — so much so, indeed, that it is thought to be 'bad 

 luck' to kill one of these inoffensive songsters. I have 

 known a country boy to be greatly concerned when he 

 had ''shied' a stone at a bird, and by accident killed 

 a Robin, and I believe there are few who could take 

 pleasure in seeing a Robin fall dead to the ground. 



The eccentricity displayed by this bird in choosing 

 out-of-the-way places to build in, has been remarked 

 by many writers. Its attachment to the neighbour- 

 hood of man's dwelling is singular, and as if to claim 

 our protection it frequently nests close to our houses. 

 In winter the Robins will come daily to pick up the 

 crumbs outside the windows, and occasionally one 

 is bold enough to enter the room and carry off what- 

 ever he can find in the way of food. They are not 

 often so tame as this, except in the severest winters, 

 when their hunger is great, the snow deep upon the 

 ground, and food scarce. 



