THE BRITISH ROBIN. 483 



actions are too well known to require description. Song, a sweet 

 and somewhat plaintive warble, imitative to some extent. Call- 

 note, a short squeak. Another note, which functions as a call, and, 

 in a lesser degree, expresses defiance and alarm, is a crackling " tik- 

 tik-tik," heard oftenest at roosting -time. Alarm-note a.t nest, a 

 long-drawn and high-pitched "" pheeze." 



Breeding-habits. — Widely distributed, but generally breeds near 

 houses or lanes, often in villages or towais where there are gardens 

 or parks. Nest. — Frequently on ground, occasionally in stump or 

 hole in tree or nesting-box, or among ivy on wall. At times also 

 in sheds or outbuildings, and even in old tins or kettles. Bulky 

 with foundation of dead leaves and moss and neatly lined with hair, 

 sometimes a feather or two. Eggs. — Usually 5 or 6, but 7 to 10 

 and even 12 on record, larger number probably due to two hens. 

 Ground-colour white, with fine freckles of sandy -red,which sometimes 

 almost obscure the ground and give appearance of uniform pale 

 reddish-ochreous. Sometimes markings take form of bold red- 

 broAvn spots, or form cap at large end. Average of 100 eggs, 19.8 

 X 15.5 mm. Breeding -season. — From end of March or early April 

 onward : occasionally also in mid-winter. Two or three broods. 

 Incubation. — 13-14 days (W. Evans). 



Food. — Mainly insects, coleoptera of many species, lepidoptera 

 {Plusia gamma and larvae of many species), diptera (eggs, larvas and 

 imagines), orthoptera (Forficula), hymenoptera (ants) and gall 

 insects {Neuroterus, etc.). Seeds (including grain and many species 

 of weed) and earthworms are largely ea,ten ; also remains of fruit 

 (raspbeiries and currants) found in pellets ejected (Oldham). In 

 Scotland seen to take berries of rowan ; also whortleben-ies. 



Distribution. — British Isles. — Resident. Generally distributed, 

 but scarce in extreme north of Scottish mainland and in Orkneys, 

 and apparently absent from Shetlands ; sparingly distributed 

 North Uist and Lewis, and has bred Barra since 1892, but not in 

 other 0. Hebrides. (Single birds, of which race not recorded, have 

 occurred occasionally Flannan Isles, spring, autumn and winter.) 



Migrations. — British Isles. — Though resident as a species con- 

 siderable movements of individuals and probably of all in some areas 

 occur, especially in Scotland and its isles and in northern parts of 

 England. Southward movements doAvn east and west coasts are 

 well marked ; on west side, Inner Hebrides through Isle of Man 

 to Scillies and east coast Ireland, from beginning Aug. to mid-Sept., 

 and Inner Hebrides to Solway and north and east coasts Ireland 

 mid-Sept, to mid-No v. (except for four records from Isle of Man 

 there is only one in ten years of migrating Robins on west coast 

 England and Wales after mid-Sept., Bardsey, Carnarvon, Oct. 29) ; 

 on east side (E. Ross, to Channel) from beginning of Aug. to mid- 

 Nov. N.B. — Records mid-Sept, to mid-Nov. probably refer in part 



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