192 



cassell's book of birds. 



roof is constructed, and an entrance made in the side. The eggs, which are of a yellowish white, 

 marked with reddish yellow spots (see Fig. 33, Coloured Plate XVI.), are from five to seven in 

 number ; these are laid about May. The parents brood alternately during a fortnight, they feed the 

 nestlings assiduously with worms and insects, and diligently instruct and tend them for about a week 

 after they are fledged ; they are then permitted to go forth into the world on their own account ; 

 whilst, if the weather be fine, the old birds at once prepare for a second family. Numberless are 

 the anecdotes that might be quoted to show the kindly disposition of these interesting little favourites, 

 but we must confine ourselves to the mention of two or three exemplifications of their habits. 



The first that we shall narrate happened in our own village. Two male Redbreasts were 

 captured and confined in the same cage. From the moment of their imprisonment they seemed 



.. .-- 



s. 



THE robin REDBREAST {Erythaca ritbecula or Rubecula silvestris). 



entirely to have laid aside their usual amiable and social demeanour ; morning, noon, and night they 

 squabbled and pecked each other, and fought with an enduring rancour which plainly showed that 

 they each grudged every atom of food or drop of water obtained by the other. This state of affairs 

 was at last brought to a very unexpected termination ; one of the captives broke its leg, and forthwith 

 the conduct of its companion was completely changed ; it at once took charge of the helpless invalid 

 with as much tenderness as if it had been one of its own young, fed and tended it until the limb was 

 restored ; and, strange to say, even after the invalid was strong and well again, neither of the birds 

 ever showed the slightest inclination to renew former hostilities. 



An instance of the truly parental affection they often exhibit towards the young of entirely 

 different species is mentioned by Naumann, who upon one occasion introduced an unfledged Linnet into 

 the cage of a Redbreast. No sooner did the hungry nestling begin to clamour for food than the 



