ERITHACUS RUfiECULA 71 



orange, bordered with bluish-grey on the sides of the neck and breast ; 

 abdomen white; flanks and thighs olive-brown; vent and under tailcoverts 

 whitish, tinged with brown. 



Iris dark hazel ; bill and feet dark brown. 



Total length 5'50 inches, wing 2'75, culmen -45, tarsus '95. 



Adult female similar to the male. 



The Robin occurs chiefly as a winter migrant in Tunisia, being 

 more abundant north of the Atlas and along the coastline than in 

 the southern and more inland districts ; indeed, I do not remember ever 

 to have met with it in the central and south-western parts of the 

 Regency. Tbe range of the species, however, extends to the extreme 

 south of Tunisia, and I have specimens, or notes of its occurrence, 

 from Tatahouine, Oglet-Ksar, and Tamerzed. 



In Algeria and Marocco, as in Tunisia, the Robin occurs chiefly as 

 a winter migrant, but in no part of North-west Africa does the species 

 appear ever to be found in such large numbers as it is in some parts 

 of Southern Europe during the autumn and winter months. In most 

 of these South European countries, unfortunately, our familiar little 

 songster is not accorded the same protection that it receives in 

 England, and vast numbers of Robins are annually snared for the 

 foreign markets. 



The spring passage of this species commences in Tunisia rather 

 early, and by the beginning of March the bulk of the birds have 

 departed for their summer quarters. A few individuals remain and 

 breed in the forests and wooded hilly districts of the north of the 

 Regency, and I have notes of nests and young broods being met with 

 near Ghardimaou and El-Fedja during the months of May and June. 



The nest of this species is generally placed in a bank, or in a hole 

 in some wall or hollow tree, and is loosely constructed of dry grasses 

 and leaves, lined with hair and feathers. The eggs, usually five in 

 number, are whitish, with pale reddish spots and markings. 



The Robin's habits are too well known to need description here, 

 but I may observe that the species, like many others, when on 

 migration becomes far more shy and less confiding than when at 

 home. During the greater part of the year insects and worms form 

 its chief diet, but it will eat almost anything in winter, when its 

 natural food is difficult to obtain. 



Very pale varieties of the Robin are not uncommon, and my 

 collection contains examples of such light-coloured birds. 



