55 



MOLACILLA RUBECULA. 



Lin. Syst, 337. 



THE RED BREAST, 



PLATE LV. 



X he Bill is black at the tip, brown at the base ; the 

 iris of the eyes a pale brown ; the pupil black ; the top 

 of the head, the back and coverts of the tail, are of a 

 dusky olive colour ; the wings and tail more dusky, 

 but the borders of the feathers in both are of the same 

 olive colour. The forehead, throat, and breast are of 

 a dull orange colour ; the belly, dusky white ; the legs 

 and feet black. 



I have figured the cock in the attitude which he fre- 



o 



quently assumes when in his summer retreats, amongst 

 trees and bushes, where he perches himself upon a 

 spray not far from his mistress and family, and sings 

 delightfully. 



I have figured the female as we see her in time of 

 snow, when contracted to a ball, and shivering with 

 cold. She stands on a log at the back door, praying to 

 be admitted within the warmth of the kitchen fire. 



The Brimstone Butterfly,* when a catterpillar, feeds 

 on the leaves of Buckthorn ; changes to a chrysalis in 

 May, and to a Butterfly in June ; frequents hedges and 

 the borders of woods, and is easily taken. 



* Papilio Rhamni Linn. 



