52 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



REDBREAST. 



Erithacus ruhecula. 



This appears to be a universal favourite, and from its con- 

 fiding nature and familiarity lias earned for itself in most of 

 the countries it inhabits some name or other of endearment 

 and aflection. 



Wherever the labourer may go, not only in the garden, 

 but even in the distant woodlands, no sooner does he begin 

 to break up the ground than the Robin is Avith him to pick 

 up any worm or grub that he may happen to disturb, and 

 may often be seen sitting on the handle of some tool which 

 he may have cast aside. 



Notwithstanding this tameness with regard to man, he is 

 most pugnacious, and shows the greatest audacity should 

 any other of his own species presume to come too near to 

 his nest, or even to the part of the garden he may have 

 arrogated to himself. He sings in the spring, but princi- 

 j)ally in the autumn and winter. The Robin feeds on berries 

 and most garden fruits, and is especially addicted to red 

 currants. Worms also, and chrysalids, form a considerable 

 portion of his diet, and he is very fond of corn in general, 

 more particularly of wheat. He feeds also on the berries of 

 the mountain-ash. 



Although he is resident he is partially migratory, and 

 receives periodical additions from the continent. This bird 

 is an early riser, and one of the last to retire at night. The 

 materials of the nest appear to vary greatly, being sometimes 

 moss, feathers, and hair, at another principally dead leaves. 

 It is frequently found on the ground or on a bank, or 

 perhaps on the wall-plate of an outbuilding, or a hole in a 

 wall. I was once shown a nest in a lectern in the church 

 of Ashington, and heard of another built under the seat of 



