THE REDBREAST. 197 



insects, the meal wliicli their small necessities 

 require ? 



The robin is a very early nest builder. A per- 

 fectly finished nest has been found as early as 

 January 14tli, and may often be seen in February, 

 when as yet the other birds have not thought of 

 pre|)aring a house ; and by April the nests of the 

 redbreast are very common. Two or three broods 

 are reared in a season ; and the nest is made of 

 dried leaves, moss and grasses, and lined with 

 hair. The eggs are five in number, and are white, 

 spotted with pale reddish brown. 



Various places are chosen by this bird for its 

 nest, and Bishop ]\Iant well describes such as are 

 cominpnly selected : — 



" Most of all to haunts of men 

 Familiar, though to savage glen 

 And woodland wild he oft may roam 

 Secluded, oft his wintry home ; 

 No less the redbreast makes his bower 

 For nestlings in the vernal hour; 

 In thatch or root of aged tree, 

 Moss-grown, or arching cavity 

 Of bank or garden's refuse heap ; 

 Or where the broad-leaved tendrils creep 

 Of ivj, and an arbour spread 

 O'er trellised porch or cottage shed." 



