RINGDOVE— ROBIN 329 



RINGDOVE (see Dove). 



A correspondent writes lately (1902) : — 



The prolonged storm occurring at the end of a severe winter is (a 

 correspondent informs us), proving very hard on the birds, and numbers are 

 being found dead in the country through cold and starvation. It is somewhat 

 strange that the redwing, which only arrives in this country for the winter 

 months, and departs again in spring, should be the greatest sufferer, while 

 some of our smaller native birds are not affected. The Bediving is often 

 mistaken for the common thrush, which it greatly resembles, but from which 

 it may be distinguished by the orange red of the flanks and under feathers of 

 the wings. 



ROBIN. — Broinn-dearg or deargan, broidileag, broinileag, 

 bru-dearg or deargan, bru-dhearg, bruindeargan ; Pigidh ; Roban- 

 roid, rob-ruadh ; Spideag, spideag-mhuire, spideog (Ir.) ; Ruadhag, 

 ruadhan. 



Bob, bob-robin ; Reddock, Richard, robinet, robin-redbreast 

 reddock or ruck, ruddock, ruduc (A. S.) ; Salt-haga ; The red 

 bird. 



This bird is almost too well known to give particulars of, in 

 addition to the many already given elsewhere. It is thought, 

 however, to have originally come from Lapland or Greenland. 

 It is almost omniverous, and may be said to invariably catch the 

 early worm, as it is the first bird to start singing — or warbling — 

 in the morning, though the lark certainly makes a good second. 

 St Mungo is said to have once restored the head of a robin torn 

 off in play, by one or more of his fellow disciples ! The name 

 ^'^ Richard" appears among the English words so unfortunately 

 introduced by Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair in his Ode to 

 Summer. The bird which appears portrayed in the Glasgow 

 city arms is said to be the robin, being the above-mentioned 

 robin, a pet of St Serf's, and which Kentigern restored to life. 

 A short account of these Celtic arms is, that the tree is tl.e 

 bough which Kentigern caused to burst into flame, in order 

 that he might light the monastery lamps ; the ring is the one 

 Rhyderch gave to Langneth, and which he found on a soldier's 

 finger, and threw into the river (Clyde) ; the fish is the one 

 Kentigern caused to be caught, in which the missing ring was 

 found ; the bell is the one Kentigern brought from Rome. Of 

 course our readers need hardly be reminded that Kentigern, 

 or Ceann Tigherna — Head lord — was called by the pet name of 

 "Mungo, mungan, munghu," said to be "British," and to mean 

 " dear one," but evidently Gaelic, i.e., "M' aon ghuth," my only 

 voice or speech. Whether owing to the above or not, it is still 

 thought a "peacadh mor," heinous sin to kill one, or even to 

 harry its nest. A drop of God's blood has even been said to run 

 in its veins. It is one of the boldest or most fearless of birds for 

 its size, at all times in fact quarrelsome, though an arrant coward 

 if faced up to. In this country, in the Lowlands, it has received 



