THE REDBREAST. 75 



have occurred of a nearly pure white, and also of a tawny red colour. 

 This bird is a cautious builder, concealing its nest with great care, so 

 that often the only way to discover it, is by watching the female as 

 she flies back, after leaving it for awhile. The situation may be among 

 the roots of a bush or tree, in a thick wood, or a hole in a wall, 

 well covered with ivy, or amid the intertwining branches of that plant 

 upon a rugged tree trunk; sometimes in the thatched roof of an out- 

 house, or in the thickest part of a low evergreen, or of a privet hedge 

 in the garden. Some Robins are much wilder and shyer than others, 

 and these generally build in the leafy woods, away from human habi- 

 tations; those which frequent houses and gardens much, often display 

 during the nesting-time, as they do in the winter, great fearlessness 

 and confidence in man. Bishop Mant, in his descriptions of the British 

 Months, alludes to some of these more exposed nesting-places: 



'The Robin Redbreast makes his bower 

 For nestling in the vernal hour, 

 In thatch, or root of aged tree, 

 Moss-grown or arching cavity 

 Of bank, or garden's refuse heap, 

 Or where the broad-leaved tendrils creep 

 Of ivy, and an arbour spread, 

 O'er trellised porch, or cottage shed. 

 So, as we pass the homestead round, 

 At every change of place, the sound 

 Of Robin's voice salutes the ear, 

 Carolling to his partner near; 

 And with sure gaze the observant eye 

 May Robin's hidden home descry." 



Very singular places have been sometimes chosen by these birds for 

 their nests; thus, one pair built in a hole, caused by the passing of a 

 shot, right through the foremast of Nelson's ship, the Victory; this was 

 the mast, against which the hero was standing when he received his 

 death-wound, and William the Fourth had part of it placed in a kind 

 of temple in. the grounds of Bushy Park, where he resided, and it was 

 here that the Redbreasts made a family mansion of the circular hole 

 so strangely made. While the Crystal Palace at Sydenham was in 

 course of construction, several Robins settled themselves very close to 

 the workmen, making their nests amid the large roots, which were 

 brought on to make the embankment on the southern end. The din 

 around them was perfectly deafening, and the bustle incessant, but 

 there they sat and hatched and reared their young, without displaying 

 any signs of fear. 



One pair of these bold birds chose a child's covered cart, which hung 



