54 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



It is an early breeder, and, considering its size, 

 makes rather a large nest. This is composed of 

 moss, leaves, and grass, lined with horse-hair or cow- 

 hair and a few feathers, and is generally placed on or 

 near the ground upon some hedge-bank, or against 

 an ivy-covered wall. The eggs, usually five or six in 



YOUNG ROBIN. 



number, are white, irregularly marked towards the 

 larger end with rust -coloured spots and blotches. 

 The young in their first plumage are spotted, as 

 shown in the accompanying vignette. During the 

 breeding season cock Robins are very pugnacious, 

 not only driving away all intruders from the nest, 



