344 THE THRUSH FAMILY 



from Scandinavia takes place on the eastern and south-eastern coasts of Great 

 Britain, with a return passage from S. Europe or W. Africa in spring. There 

 is also a slight autumn emigration and spring immigration on the south coast, 

 but whether this chiefly affects our own or the continental birds does not seem 

 to have been established (cf. Nelson, B. of Tories., 1907, pp. 42-43 ; Ticehurst, 

 B. of Kent, 1909, pp. 30-31 ; etc.). [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. The Continental-redbreast does not breed in the British 

 Isles. The British-redbreast builds generally in a hollow on a bank-side, in a hole 

 of a wall or tree, and frequently among ivy. But occasionally almost any kind of 

 hole is made use of, from a sand-martin's burrow to an old nest of some other bird 

 or the interior of an old kettle, shoe or hat, and it is often found in sheds and out- 

 houses. It is often rather bulky, constructed of dead leaves, grasses, and moss, 

 lined chiefly with hair and a few feathers at times. (PL xvn.) It is constructed 

 chiefly, if not entirely, by the hen. Eggs generally 5 or 6, sometimes 7, and rarely 

 8 or 9, are white, generally more or less freckled with light sandy red, sometimes 

 so closely as to obscure the ground, and at times boldly marked with a few spots 

 or entirely without markings. (PI. C.) Average size of 100 eggs, *78 x *61 in. 

 [19'87 x 15'5 mm.]. The breeding season normally begins about the end of March 

 or early in April, though nests may be found occasionally in the winter months. 

 Incubation lasts 13-14 days (W. Evans, Ibis, 1891, p. 57), and according to 

 Naumann is performed by both sexes alternately, the cock sitting in the after- 

 noon. Two or three broods are reared during the season. [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Worms, insects, small snails, spiders, berries, occasionally seeds. 

 The young are fed by both parents, chiefly on worms and insects. [F. B. K.] 



6. Song Period. All the year, but only occasionally during the periods of 

 moult in July and early August. The young of the year may be heard uttering 

 a low warble before and during their moult. The earliest date on which I have 

 heard the latter is July 30. [F. B. K.] 



CONTINENTAL-REDBREAST [Eritha.cus rubecula rubecula 

 (Linnaeus)]. 



i. Description. Distinguished sub-specifically from the preceding by having 

 the upper surface lighter, less rufous, the throat a less deep red, and the sides of 

 the body lighter (Hartert : Vogel der Paldarktischen Fauna, pp. 750, 752 ; British 

 Birds, i. p. 219). [F. B. K.] 



