IN GARDEN, PARK, AND SHRUBBERY. 35 



Robin pairs early in March, and during this 

 period is remarkably pugnacious, rival males often 

 fighting with such fury as to kill each other. The 

 nest is built in a great variety of places, even in 

 such unlikely spots as an old water-can, a derelict 

 kettle or saucepan, a drain-pipe or flower-pot. 

 The usual site is either in an old wall, or on a 

 bank, amongst tree-roots, and especially amongst 

 ivy growing over a low wall. The nest is made 

 of moss, dry grass, and great quantities of withered 

 leaves ; the lining is of hair and rootlets. The 

 eggs vary from four to as many as eight, white in 

 ground colour, freckled and spotted with pale 

 reddish brown and gray. A common variety has 

 a ring or zone of spots round the larger end ; and 

 sometimes eggs with no spots at all may be 

 found. The Robin sits closely, and I have known 

 instances where she has allowed me to gently 

 stroke her without any show of fear. Young 

 Robins very different in colour from their parents, 

 mottled and spotted buff and black as soon as 

 they can fly are abandoned by the old birds, 

 which often rear two or three more broods before 

 the summer is over. Insects and worms are the 

 Robin's chief food, but, as every one knows, it 

 is ready to pick up any scraps that may be 

 scattered for the birds, especially during winter. 

 The rich orange-chestnut breast of the Robin is 

 ever a ready mark of identification. 



In many gardens, especially those surrounded 

 by old walls, and amongst the hollow trees in 

 the park, we may often come across the REDSTART Principally 

 {Ruticilla pkcenicura), a species easily identified t y pl lb 

 by its conspicuous chestnut tail : the black throat, 

 white forehead, gray upper parts, and chestnut 



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