THE ROBIN 



of the individuals seen in places where the species is not 

 known to breed are either migrants or wanderers. The 

 habits of the familiar Robin do not require to be described 

 at any great length here. The bird is a prime favourite 

 everywhere, and nowhere greater than in suburban 

 London, where his charming song and trustful ways 

 endear him to us. In many spots he is contented with 

 the modest cover of a small garden or shrubbery, seeking 

 a nesting-site in some retired corner ; whilst in autumn 

 his tuneful voice is almost the only bird-melody of 

 suburbia. From August onwards the song becomes 

 increasingly prevalent. The Robin is of solitary habit, 

 resenting intrusion of its favourite haunt by other 

 individuals of the species, and well able to hold its own 

 with the Sparrow and other familiar birds. Its food 

 chiefly consists of insects and worms, but in severe 

 weather crumbs and other trifles scattered for our 

 feathered pensioners are eagerly sought. The Robin is 

 an early breeder, one of the first of the smaller birds to 

 commence nest-building in March, or in exceptional 

 cases even in February. As a rule the bulky nest is care- 

 fully hidden away in a hole of a wall, amongst ivy, or 

 under a heap of wood or hedge-clippings, but many 

 other situations are chosen, some of them most eccentric, 

 as inside an old hat or can, on the shelf of a greenhouse or 

 shed, or even in a flower-pot. It is made outside of moss, 

 dry grass and roots, and dead leaves, the cup warmly and 

 neatly lined with horsehair. Year after year the same 

 situation will be used. The eggs, usually six in number, 

 are white in ground colour, more or less thickly freckled 

 and spotted with brownish red and grey. Most of the 

 colouring-matter is usually dispersed over the large end 

 of the egg, in a zone or circular patch. Both sexes 

 incubate, and the sitting bird is often remarkably fearless. 

 The young are tended for some time after they leave the 

 nest, but eventually seek haunts elsewhere. 



43 



