THE ROBIN. 267 



Paired, in many instances, for life, the Robin is another very early nest- 

 builder. We find its nest in woods adjoining cultivated lands, in the shrub- 

 beries, under the hedgerows and banks in our gardens, in holes of walls 

 and trees, and frequently amongst ivy. The Robin is another of those 

 birds which often select curious sites for their nest. It has been known to 

 build in an old water-can lying neglected and half buried in withered 

 leaves. 



The Robin's nest is very bulky, and somewhat peculiar in its construction. 

 In the first place, should the nest be on the ground, a small cavity is made 

 as a foundation for future operations. Then with withered leaves, dry 

 g'i'a-s, and moss, a somewhat rude nest is made, but with a neat deep 

 cup lined with hair, and sometimes a little wool, and rootlets, the latter 

 material being the most extensively used. When examining the nests of this 

 bird, it will be invariably noticed that the nest itself is at the extreme end of 

 the nesting-cavity, and the " frontage" to the nest is exceedingly extended, a 

 peculiarity noticed in the nests of very few birds ; for the cavity containing 

 the eggs, instead of lying in the centre of the nesting-materials, is on the 

 side, as may easily be observed when the nest is removed from its original 

 site. 



The eggs of the Robin are from five to eight in number ; but probably 

 six may be taken as an average clutch. In ground-colour they are pure and 

 shining white ; the markings, which in some cases are very rich, are brown 

 of various shades, red, and sometimes dashes and freckles of grey. In 

 colour they differ considerably. Some are pure white without a trace of 

 markings, others have a zone of colour round the larger end ; many are so 

 clouded with spots as to hide the ground-colour, while not a few are 

 richly and boldly blotched with reddish brown, streaked with dark brown 

 approaching black. The eggs possess a considerable amount of gloss, 

 which fades to a very great extent after being kept any length of time. 

 To be seen in all their delicate beauty they must be examined soon after 

 they are laid and before the contents have been removed. They vary in 

 length from 0'9 to O7 inch, and in breadth from 0'65 to O56 inch. 



The Robin rears two and sometimes three broods in the year, but never 

 in the same nest. This bird, however, will rear its young in certain locali- 

 ties for years if left unmolested. An instance is recorded of a certain 

 site being tenanted for five successive years ; but every year the old nest 

 was removed, leaving a clear site for the little builders. 



What becomes of the great numbers of Robins which, on account of the 

 bird's immunity from persecution, must of necessity be reared in this 

 country? Considerable discussion has of late years taken place re- 

 specting this subject; and many are the reasons advanced to account for 

 the bird's numbers still remaining about the same. Without doubt the 

 Robin is, to some extent, a migratory bird, even in our own land; and 



