THE SINGING BIRDS. 



193 



parental feelings and sympathy of the Robin were awakened ; it at once hopped off to procure a 

 dainty mouthful, which it placed tenderly in the youngster's gaping beak, repeating the performance 

 till the calls of hunger were completely satisfied. Even in its native woods, and surrounded by 

 its own kind, the Redbreast will occasionally contract a close friendship with a bird of another species. 

 Posslen mentions a pretty instance of this social tendency as having occurred in Germany. " In a 

 wood near Kofhen," he says, " a Redbreast was found to have actually deposited six eggs in the 

 same nest with the six eggs laid by a Linnet, the two mothers brooding side by side until the nestlings 

 made their appearance." 



The WARBLERS (Monticola) constitute a numerous family, whose members vary considerably 

 in size, but closely resemble each other, both in appearance and habits. These birds are recognisable 



the garden redstart (Ruticilla phanicura or Phcenicura ruticilla). 



by their slender bodies, moderate-sized or long wings, in which the third quill generally exceeds the 

 rest in length ; short tail, either straight or excised at its tip ; slender tarsi, and awl-shaped beak, with 

 quite straight or slightly arched upper mandible, the latter furnished with a very short, delicate hook 

 at its extremity. The coloration of their thick, lax plumage differs according to the age and sex, the 

 males being usually much more beautifully coloured than their mates, and the young distinguishable 

 from the adults by the spots with which they are adorned. Many species are remarkable for the 

 brownish red and white hues that predominate in the tail-feathers. Most of the various members of 

 this family occupy rocky or stony districts, whilst some few, on the contrary, frequent woods, gardens, 

 or pasture-land. In disposition they are watchful, lively, and restless, but by no means social, never 

 congregating, even during the migratory season, in flocks, but living invariably in pairs, or at most in 

 families. Morning has no sooner dawned than they commence hopping, or rather running over the 



VOL. II. — 64 



