EEDBEEAST. 23 



kitchen daily, and in the autumn used to sing in the hall. 

 Another was in the habit of entering a house to feed, 

 another even to go into a lantern to eat the candle in it, 

 and other sto alight on the hands of labourers to eat there- 

 from. One which was used to visit the abode of a tame 

 Eagle at feeding time, flew on to his perch as soon as he 

 had left it for the ground, and then alighted on the chain 

 by which he was fastened; another visited the same cottage 

 for four or five winters in succession, taking up its abode 

 within doors altogether, until the return of spring. One of 

 a pair, when the days were very fine and bright in October, 

 regularly frequented a stable, and when perched upon the 

 stall, sang without being in any degree disturbed by the 

 general business of the place going forward, even within two 

 , or three feet of his station. A pair of Redbreasts that were 

 assiduously watched during their nidification in a conservatory, 

 were one morning found in great consternation, in consequence 

 of their nest having been taken possession of by a bat, which 

 they eventually compelled to change its quarters. A young 

 llobin of the year, caught in the autumn, and kept in a 

 cage, made its escape, but on the appearance of snow returned, 

 and was evidently at home with the lady of the house and 

 a servant who had been accustomed to feed it, shewing more 

 partiality to them than to the other inmates.' 



The llobin is very easily captured in a trap, more so 

 than almost any other bird, but it only bears confinement 

 at all well in the winter; and if kept for its own sake in 

 severe weather, should be released when a change has come. 

 'It is always active and lively, and watchful of all that passes. 

 If a new bird is put into the cage or aviary it inhabits, the 

 llobin is the first that takes notice of it, and immediately 

 approaching, utters its note of surprise, bows repeatedly with 

 its peculiar dipping motion, erects its tail, and in various ways 

 endeavours to express its interest or surprise. Its attention 

 is particularly directed to young birds, either of its own or 

 other species.' 



The flight of this bird is usually rather quick and straight, 

 mostly performed near the ground, and for only a short 

 distance from one neighbouring resting-place to another. It 

 progresses by a few hops at a time, when it suddenly halts, 

 tosses up its head or looks askance, and after a brief pause 

 advances again. 



The llobin feeds on various fruits, seeds, and berries, such 



