208 SYNOPSTS AND: ALPHABE GICAL INDEX 
12, ROBIN OR ROBIN ‘REDBREAST 
(Pages I-11) 
Erithaca rubecula. (Erithaca ? derivation; Lat., rube- 
cula, red.) Robin, a pet name, a familar form of 
Robert, Bob or Rob (Lat., vubus, red). Plumage: 
Breast and forehead red, most brilliant at nesting time. 
Not so bright in the female, which is also somewhat 
the smaller. Upper parts: Olive-brown. Under parts: 
White. Legs: Delicate. Found: Generally distributed. 
Habits: Inquisitive, gentle and confiding, but rival 
cocks fight fiercely, the stronger bird retaining a dis- 
trict (part of a garden, etc.) to himself, and driving out 
even its own young. Not migratory. Flight: Weak, 
short. Length: 6 ins. (about). Note: A single ‘chit’ 
(if alarmed), or a very quick repetition of the same. 
Also its well-known song, throughout the year. Autumn 
notes more melancholy (to some) than those of the 
summer (but these notes are thought by some to 
be produced by the young as yet unskilled cocks). 
Food: Garden and insect pests generally, and worms. 
Nest: In early spring (one of the earliest). Sztuated : 
Not usually higher than 6 feet, in all sorts of places 
(even in flower pots, cans, etc.) ; but generally in a 
hole in:a bank, or in a hedge and in ivy, well con- 
cealed. Open, cup-shaped. Made of: Grass, moss, 
roots and leaves, and lined with horsehair and some 
