REDBREAST. 251 



day during the hatching of the eggs and the rearing of 

 the young, yet the old birds performed their several pa- 

 rental offices to their progeny without interruption, and 

 apparently without alarm." 



These birds also exhibit great attachment to each other. 

 One that was " caught and caged by the editor of the 

 Naturalist in winter was for several weeks constantly 

 attended by its mate ; which seems to prove that this 

 bird pairs for life. When any one approached the cage, 

 the male bird departed very unwillingly ; and if wholly 

 excluded from the room in which the prisoner was con- 

 fined, it would utter the most unceasing and piteous wail- 

 ings. After some time, however, the visits became gra- 

 dually less frequent, and at length ceased altogether." 



With many redeeming qualities, the Robin is, however, 

 one of the most pugnacious among birds, and maintains 

 his right to a certain limited domain against all intruders. 



The Robin breeds early in spring : its nest is formed 

 of moss, dead leaves, and dried grass, lined with hair, and 

 sometimes a few feathers : the nest is frequently placed 

 on a bank sheltered by brushwood, or a short distance 

 above the ground in a thick bush or lane-hedge, sometimes 

 in a hole of a wall partly covered with ivy. The eggs are 

 from five to seven in number, white, spotted with pale 

 reddish brown ; the length nine lines and a half, by seven 

 lines and a half in breadth. 



Generally diffused over England, Ireland, and Wales, 

 the Redbreast is also an inhabitant of the most northern 

 counties of Scotland ; but, according to Mr. Dunn, it is 

 more rare in the Shetland Islands than it is in Orkney. 

 It also visits Denmark and Sweden in the breeding season ; 

 and so well does it bear cold weather, that among the 

 summer visitors to the latter country, M. Nilsson observes 



