26 KEDBEEAST. 



is indeed a very pugnacious bird: I lately observed two of 

 them, after giving the usual challenge, fight with so much 

 animosity, that I could easily have caught them both, as 

 they reeled close to my feet on a gravel walk. After some 

 time one of them had the advantage, and would have killed 

 his opponent, had they not been separated. Indeed these 

 birds will frequently fight till one has lost his life. It has 

 been asserted that the female Robin sings, and I am much 

 inclined to be of this opinion, having heard two Robins sing 

 at the same time in a situation where I had every reason 

 to believe there was only a pair.' 



Mr. Thompson mentions his having seen and heard about 

 a dozen Redbreasts perched on the fruit trees in different 

 parts of his garden, singing at the same time; and he adds 

 that so many of them sending forth their notes at once, 

 satisfied him that the young birds of the year take their 

 part in the concert, and that the fact of every individual 

 in view trilling its note together, favours the idea that the 

 female bird is possessed of song. Several may at times be 

 heard even in the depth of winter, and while the ground is 

 covered with snow, singing and answering one another as at 

 a more genial season, though not a gleam of sunshine may 

 enliven the dreary scene. Their song has several times been 

 heard in moonlight nights, and one kept in a cage has been 

 known to sing when candles were brought into the room, 

 and when there was music, to rival it with all his power. 



Of a Redbreast kept in confinement Mr. Couch says, 'On 

 placing a mirror near its cage, it immediately expressed the 

 recognition of its fellow by a particular low and sweet note, 

 and would give vent to its satisfaction in a loud song. In. 

 fine weather this bird was generally placed outside, and daily 

 carolled his glad notes to his own image reflected from the 

 window.' One taken in a trap was accompanied by a com- 

 panion even into the house into which it was taken. In 

 some instances they are sociable and friendly with other birds 

 kept in confinement with them. 



Nidilication commences very early in the spring, and the 

 eggs are usually laid about the beginning of April; but 

 young birds have often been found in the nest by the end of 

 March. In backward seasons they are usually later. Mr. 

 Macgillivray mentions one seen on the 9th. of May, 1831, 

 and another on the 2nd. of June, 1837, which he believed 

 to be the first brood of that year. A Robin's nest con- 



