234 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



the roof in a comer of a cart-shed and tool-house 

 which was used daily. The nest of the Eobin has 

 been found in every conceivable situation holes 

 in walls inside and outside buildings, in flower- 

 pots, old boots, teapots, canisters, hats, and upon 

 one occasion, at least, in a human skull. Common 

 nearly everywhere throughout the British Isles. 



Materials. Fibrous roots and moss lined with 

 dead leaves and hair. 



Eggs. Five to six, occasionally as many as 

 seven and even eight ; white or very light grey, 

 blotched and freckled with dull light red. Some- 

 times the spots become confluent over nearly the 

 entire surface of the shell, at others they are 

 collected round the larger end. Occasionally very 

 sparingly supplied or altogether absent. Size about 

 8 by -6 in. 



Time. March, April, May, June, and July. 



Remarks. Kesident and migratory. Some 

 naturalists are of opinion that the Eobins which 

 inhabit our gardens and orchards in winter migrate 

 North in summer, and that their places are supplied 

 by more Southern members of the species. Any- 

 way, it is certain that the bird does migrate, from 

 the fact that specimens visit our lightships during 

 the great autumn rushes. Notes : call, sharp and 

 clear ; alarm, a very monotonous, low and plaintive 

 chee, hardly ever uttered except when the nest is 

 being visited by an intruder. Song, sweet and 

 plaintive. Local and other names : Redbreast, 

 Eobin Redbreast, Robinet, Bob Robin, Ruddock. 

 Sits closely, yet though a bold bird, will sometimes 

 forsake its discovered eggs in the most unaccount- 

 able manner. The situation represented in our 

 first illustration has been occupied two or three 

 years in succession. 



