THE REDBREAST 435 



other species that pass the winter in the same habitat ; for instance, 

 by hedge-sparrows, which are usually to be seen two, three, or even 

 more in peace together, or by thrushes and blackbirds which, though 

 not gregarious, are yet not exclusive ? The question, like most 

 others arising out of the habits of birds, waits for an answer. 



I have not so far been able to watch closely the break up of 

 the winter territorial system under the compelling influence of spring, 

 and cannot, therefore, say how the transition from the state of active 

 hostility to the very different one of love is made or how long it 

 takes. It is probably effected towards the end of January or the 

 beginning of February, for Mr. Boraston has noted robins courting 

 on the last day of the former month. 1 I have two notes made in 

 different years, both dated February 21. One records that a robin 

 was seen following another with anything but hostile intent, and with 

 a tendency to assume the gymnastic courting attitudes, of which we 

 shall have presently more to say. The second records the presence 

 of a pair in a tree, two feet apart, the one singing to the other. It 

 may here be observed that both sexes sing in winter, at least one 

 judges so from the fact one meets none that do not so, but whereas 

 the spring puts more fire into the notes of the cock, it has not the 

 same effect upon the hen. To what extent, if at all, she continues 

 to sing during the spring I do not know. 



As the robin does not usually begin to build its nest till towards 

 the middle of March, the period of courtship may be said to last over 

 a month. The birds' love displays are remarkable. The earliest date 

 on which I have myself seen them is March 8th. On this occasion 

 there were three robins present, two being stationary, and perched 

 some feet apart in a tall hedge. The third, presumably the male, kept 

 passing from one to the other, his tail very erect, and the neck and 

 head stretched stiffly forward, and sometimes upward, or even back- 

 ward, as if he were trying to make the top of the head and the tip of 

 the tail meet over his back. If you can imagine a gymnast-contor- 



1 Birds by Land and Sea, p. 65. 



