346 INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



perched upon a ragweed. Mr. Thompson records an instance 

 in which one of these "birds built five nests in the course of 

 one season, and reared seventeen young. We have already 

 adverted (p. 181) to the tantalising proof we experienced of 

 its partiality for one of our most beautiful land shells, or rather 

 for its occupant, as food. 



Sylviadce. The family we have next to mention is the 

 most musical in Europe, and some of its members have 

 attained the highest reputation as vocalists. Among those 

 best known may be mentioned the Redbreast, Sedge-Warbler, 

 Nightingale, Blackcap Warbler, and Willow Wren. The 

 brief notice we can give shall be bestowed upon the Redbreast 

 and the Nightingale. 



We have been taught to love the Robin Redbreast (Sylvia 

 rubecula), associated as it is with recollections which the 

 wear and tear of after life can never efface.* Those who 

 have lived in this country have seen him during the summer 

 feeding on earth-worms, caterpillars, berries, and fruits; and 

 in winter presenting himself to receive from the hand of man 

 the food which the frozen earth withholds. His habits, when 

 be first ventures into the cottage to pick up the proffered 

 crumbs, have been truly described by Thomson: 



" Then hopping o'er the floor, 



Eyes all the smiling family askance, 



And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is." 



" The sprightly air of this species," says Mr. Yarrell, 

 "the full dark eye, and the sidelong turn of the head, give 

 an appearance of sagacity and inquiry to their character, 

 which aided by their confidence has gained them friends; 

 and the Robin has accordingly acquired some familiar domes- 

 tic name, in almost every country of Europe." 



The bird seems at times to have indulged in some whimsical 

 fancies as to the situation of his nest. ' ' A pair took up their 

 abode in the parish church of Hampton, in Warwickshire, and 

 affixed their nest to the church Bible, as it lay on the reading- 

 desk. The vicar would not allow the birds to be disturbed, and 



* Shakspeare mentions the bird by the old Saxon name the Ruddock, 

 and refers to its performance of the same office as that attributed to it in 

 the well-known ballad :- 



" The Ruddock would, 



With charitable bill, bring thee all this, 



Yea, and furred moss besides, when flowers are none, 



To winter-ground thy corse." CYMEKLINE, Act iv. scene 2. 



