150 BIRD GALLERY. 
hollow of the bank or on a ledge of rock, often under a bridge or behind 
a waterfall. From four to six white eggs are laid very early in the 
year, and two or even three broods are reared in the season. The 
young are able to swim as soon as they leave the nest, and fully fledged 
birds have been observed as early as the middle of March. 
Yorkshire, May. 
Presented by Lord Walsingham. 
No. 38. REDBREAST or ROBIN. 
(Erithacus rubecula.) 
This most familiar and characteristic resident species is generally 
distributed throughout the British Islands, where legendary associations 
and its fearless nature have combined to make it a general favourite. 
The nest, made of dead leaves and moss, lined with hair and a few 
feathers, is usually placed in holes in banks, walls, or hollow trees, or 
amongst ivy, but all sorts of strange situations may be selected. 
The eggs, from five to seven in number, are generally white, spotted 
with light red, but are sometimes pure white. The nesting-season 
commences in March, and two, or even three, broods are reared in 
the year. 
Sussex, April. 
Presented by W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Esq. 
No. 39. WREN. (Anorthura troglodytes.) 
This familiar resident is generally distributed throughout the British 
Islands, where its numbers are largely increased by autumnal immi- 
gration. Traditional associations as well as its active fearless ways 
and loud cheerful song, uttered throughout the year, have endeared it 
to all. The beautifully constructed dome-shaped nest, with an 
entrance in the side, is made of leaves, moss and grass, and is sometimes 
lined with feathers. It is placed in very varied situations, generally 
among dense tangled vegetation, and always well concealed, the outer 
materials being taken from the surroundings. The nesting season 
commences very early, and the eggs, from six to nine in number, are 
white spotted with red. Two broods are produced in the season. 
Northamptonshire, June. 
Presented by Colonel L. H. Irby. 
