ROBIN. 133 



cannot be distinguished from those of the Blackbird. 

 They are best identified at the nest, where the actions 

 of the parents make this matter an easy task. The 

 Ring Ouzel is easily recognized by its conspicuous white 

 gorget. 



Family TURDTD^E. Genus ERITHACUS. 



Sub-family TURD1N&. 



ROBIN. 



ERITHACUS RUBECULA (Linnaus). 

 Double Brooded. Breeding season, March to July. 



BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Provided sufficient cover 

 is offered, the Robin may be met with breeding more or 

 less commonly throughout the British Islands, most 

 abundant in well-cultivated districts and most local 

 in upland areas, where its presence depends principally 

 on whether human habitations surrounded with sufficient 

 cover are to be found. It breeds as far north as the 

 Orkneys, but has not yet reached the Shetlands as a 

 nesting species. Like many other birds the Robin has 

 increased its northern range within recent time, following 

 the spread of tree-planting and general cultivation and 

 improvement. 



BREEDING HABITS: The Robin may be met with 

 during the breeding season almost everywhere. It is to 

 a certain extent a resibent, but some migration move- 

 ment is noticeable, especially in the wilder and more 

 northern districts. It may be found nesting in woods, 

 plantations, shrubberies, coppices, lanes, gardens, or- 

 chards, and hedgerows ; by the riverside, close to the 



