58 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



winter, when the voices of almost all other birds are 

 hushed, the distinctive warble of the Robin comes most 

 gratefully to the ear, particularly so to the dwellers in 

 towns. When winter has set its icy seal upon the woods 

 and meadows, " Bob " (as the Robin is sometimes 

 familiarly called), despairing of food in the sylvan haunts 

 of summer, repairs to the habitations of man, well knowing 

 that the reward of its beautiful song will be forthcoming 

 in the shape of crumbs, thrown out by the lovers of 

 Nature's less gifted but beautiful creatures. 



The plumage of the Robin is composed generally, 

 upon the head, back and tail, of olive-brown, but upon the 

 cheeks, throat, and breast it is a rich orange-red (from 

 which its name of Redbreast is derived) ; this is bordered 

 with bluish grey, terminating in white upon the under 

 parts. The female so slightly differs that it is almost 

 impossible to distinguish the sex, although it may be 

 that she is less brightly coloured, and possesses eyes less 

 full and bold. The young Robin, however, is clothed 

 in entirely different plumage, the entire upper part being 

 yellowish olive-brown, mottled with orange and buff, 

 and tipped at the extremity of each feather with pale 

 olive-brown ; the chin, throat, and breast are dull reddish- 

 brown, but this colour is materially altered by the feathers 

 being margined with darker brown. 



Perhaps no other bird has built its nest in so many 

 erratic positions as the Robin ; reason seems to have no 

 influence over its choice. With 9 superfluity of admirable 

 sites close at hand, the most ridiculous positions are often 

 chosen ; and were it not for the immunity from persecution 

 enjoyed by the Robin, indeed we may say the protection 

 afforded, this reckless choice of a nesting-place would 



